An educational report has revealed that the Educational Facilities and Planning Sector within the Ministry of Education has made significant progress in presenting 53 design proposals for the establishment of new schools across various educational zones. This initiative aims to address the growing need for educational infrastructure in Kuwait.
Out of these proposals, 38 designs are intended for schools that are listed for demolition and reconstruction. The remaining 15 designs are designated for the development of vacant lands earmarked for school construction in contemporary residential areas, including Al-Masayel and Al-Aqeela, as reported by Al-Rai daily.
The report highlights that the Facilities Sector will collaborate with the Ministry of Finance to secure the necessary budget for the immediate demolition and rebuilding of schools once the design proposals are finalized. The prioritization of these projects will be based on the specific needs of regions and the student population density in their respective schools. It is important to note that the closure of old schools aligns with structural inspection reports sanctioned by the Government Center for Inspections, Quality Control, and Research at the Ministry of Works.
The closed schools are distributed throughout Kuwait, with ten of them being closed for a decade. Among these, five are located in the Jahra area, namely Al-Muatasem, Al-Miqdad, Al-Jahra Primary School, Kazma, and Hamza Kindergarten. The other five are in the Ahmadi region, including Ahmadi High School, Secondary Religious Institute, Al Amal Kindergarten, Al Farazdaq, and Latifa Al Fares.
In another development, the Ministry of Education has successfully concluded the awarding of a furniture tender valued at 1.5 million dinars to a company, overcoming a significant hurdle for the upcoming academic year. This contract includes the supply of 80,000 chairs, 80,000 tables, and school and office furniture for all four educational stages.
An educational source informed Al-Rai that the new furniture will soon be delivered to the Department of Supplies and Stores. It will be used to furnish 20 new schools that are set to commence operations next year, as well as to replace damaged furniture in schools currently under the department’s jurisdiction. This procurement of furniture, along with securing service contracts for maintenance, air conditioning, buses, and cleaning spanning three academic years, demonstrates the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring a well-prepared upcoming academic year.
Furthermore, the public education sector is actively involved in selecting new schools that will be operational during the next academic year in Al-Mutlaa. The decision-making process takes into consideration the educational levels needed by the community. It is worth noting that approximately 100 male and female students residing in the city are already registered in Jahra schools for the current academic year.
It is important to adhere to several standards set by the Ministry of Education when opening schools in modern residential areas. One critical criterion is the availability of at least half the required number of students relative to the total school capacity. This ensures that the schools can effectively serve the educational needs of the community.
In conclusion, the efforts of the Educational Facilities and Planning Sector within the Ministry of Education to present design proposals for new schools, along with the successful awarding of the furniture tender, signify significant progress in enhancing the educational infrastructure in Kuwait. These initiatives will contribute to providing students with modern and well-equipped learning environments, ultimately fostering a conducive atmosphere for academic growth and development.
Source: TimesKuwait
