KUWAIT: The Ministry of Education announced Tuesday the opening of four new summer clubs in Kuwait, expanding its total to 29 centers as part of a broader plan to enhance extracurricular learning during the summer break. The new clubs — three in Jahra and one in Farwaniya — follow the June relaunch of 25 summer centers across the country. The initiative aims to provide students with engaging academic, physical, cultural, and volunteer activities in a safe, supervised environment.

In a press statement, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Educational Development and Activities Maryam Al-Enezi said the expansion comes in response to rising student interest and strong support from parents. “The ministry acted on Minister of Education Dr. Jalal Al-Tabtabaei’s instructions to scale up the program after witnessing high student participation and parental engagement,” she said.

“The clubs now offer sports, arts, science, volunteering, and academic support, in addition to specialized activities for students with disabilities under the supervision of trained educators.” For girls, the sports clubs offer swimming, handball, basketball, football, and fun games aimed at developing physical and technical skills, according to Acting General Supervisor of Girls’ Physical Education Dr. Yusra Al-Otair.

“These programs focus on age-appropriate activities that strengthen personality, promote cooperation and respect, and encourage balanced development,” she said, noting that 34 buses are operating to transport students and ensure safety standards.

For boys, football, swimming, and bowling are the most popular activities, said Acting General Supervisor of Boys’ Physical Education Dr Hessa Arab. “Our goal is to nurture leadership, teamwork, and sportsmanship through well-structured activities,” she added.

Tech education also features prominently. Acting General Supervisor of Computer Science Mona Awadh said the robotics club teaches programming, mechanics, electronics, and control systems. “It includes training, internal competitions, field trips to tech facilities, debates, and awareness workshops on artificial intelligence,” she said. Acting Director of Special Education Schools Abdulaziz Al-Suwaid said the summer club for students with disabilities welcomes both boys and girls from all disability categories, offering inclusive, supervised programming.

Bader Al-Shatti, head of the Summer Debate Club, emphasized the value of critical thinking. “Our club builds students’ argumentation and persuasion skills through age-appropriate training plans,” he said. The ministry reaffirmed its long-term commitment to expanding these summer clubs and investing in qualified staff to support youth development across Kuwait. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Zain Kuwait has announced a new strategic partnership with Lei Wa Lakom, a non-profit initiative dedicated to empowering individuals through financial awareness, knowledge sharing, and community development. This partnership reflects the alignment of both parties’ visions in advancing sustainability and community empowerment on both local and regional levels.

The agreement was signed at Zain’s headquarters in Shuwaikh, joined by Waleed Al-Khashti, Chief Corporate Affairs and Relations Officer at Zain Kuwait, and Taiba Al-Humaidhi, Founder of Lei Wa Lakom, alongside the Zain team. Commenting on the occasion, Waleed Al-Khashti said: “At Zain, we believe that knowledge is power, and that financial empowerment is one of the keys to building stable communities and sustainable economies. Our partnership with Lei Wa Lakom falls under our sustainability strategy and reflects our deep commitment to supporting initiatives that make a real difference in the lives of individuals and communities.”

Taiba Al-Humaidhi expressed her pride in the collaboration, saying: “We’re delighted to have Zain join us on our journey. The alignment in values and vision between us strengthens our ability to reach wider segments of society and to help build communities that are more aware, educated, and equipped to face economic challenges.”

KUWAIT: Waleed Al-Khashti and Taiba Al-Humaidhi announce the partnership.

The partnership aims to support a number of impactful initiatives led by Lei Wa Lakom, foremost among them the Financial Education Program, which includes engaging workshops and a digital interactive tool that promotes continuous learning. The program is also developing a national Financial Literacy Index, supported by academic partners including the London School of Economics.

In addition, the partnership supports knowledge-based and cultural initiatives such as the Sidra platform, which spotlights intellectual leadership in the Gulf region, and an innovative animated awareness series to be broadcast on Kuwait TV and digital platforms to raise awareness about financial literacy among a wider audience.

As part of Zain’s commitment to supporting education beyond borders, the partnership also includes the Zanzibar Library Project, through which Lei Wa Lakom is establishing a library and cultural center in the heart of Zanzibar. The project will serve more than 200 families and includes a comprehensive library, a Holy Quran recitation center, and a water well, creating an integrated educational and spiritual environment that enhances quality of life and provides the tools for knowledge and growth.

This partnership falls within Zain’s broader commitment to social responsibility, with a focus on youth empowerment, education, and inclusive development, in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Kuwait’s New Vision to invest in human capital.

KUWAIT: A Kuwaiti husband and wife were sentenced to death on Monday by the criminal court for killing their Filipina housemaid by detaining and beating her and then burying her body in their garden. The court was told that the couple repeatedly beat their maid with a stick and prevented her from taking her medicine until she died. They then buried her in their garden before authorities found the decaying body. The court convicted the couple of premeditated murder and for forcing her to work without pay which is considered a trafficking in person charge under Kuwaiti law.

The sentence is not final as it can be appealed at the court of appeals and the court of cassation, the country’s top court whose rulings are final. In the meantime, the criminal court on Monday sentenced a Kuwaiti man to 15 years in jail for joining the Islamic State jihadist group, outlawed in Kuwait for its terrorist attacks. The man was accused of joining the group and funding it. The ruling can be challenged at the court of appeals and the court of cassation.