KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Minister of Justice and Chair of the Kuwait Institute for Judicial and Legal Studies Nasser Al-Sumait, has ordered the institute to conduct a comprehensive study to overhaul the selection process for entry-level legal researcher roles, which qualify candidates to become junior prosecutors.

The move comes days after the minister announced the complete cancellation of the current admissions cycle, citing serious irregularities in the process. “In response to the complaints and grievances submitted regarding the recent admissions procedures, and the observations raised about the integrity and accuracy of their results, a review of the documents revealed violations that tainted the work of the selection committee and its supporting team,” Al-Sumait said in a statement released by the ministry this week. He added that the flaws in the admissions process were so severe that “they cast a shadow over the entire acceptance process to the extent that no subsequent correction or review could be of any value.” As a result, all actions and results issued by the admissions committee and its team — formed under ministerial decisions 1602 and 1603 of 2024 — were nullified.

Rigorous framework

In a statement to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) Thursday, the minister explained that the newly commissioned study aims to establish “a rigorous institutional framework” for selecting legal researchers. “This mandate reflects the ministry’s keenness to uphold transparency and integrity in appointment procedures, and to capitalize on the institute’s accumulated national expertise in training and preparing judicial and legal talent,” he said. The minister underscored that this effort is part of a broader vision to modernize the justice system based on competence and equal opportunity, “in a way that reinforces society’s trust in state institutions.”

Public trust

Earlier this week, Al-Sumait emphasized that the ministry is committed to restoring public confidence in the judiciary by ensuring a clean and competitive pathway for aspiring legal professionals. “To preserve public trust in the judiciary and uphold the principles of equality and merit-based opportunity, the ministry has decided to allow Kuwait’s sons and daughters to compete freely for these roles based on their qualifications and abilities,” he said.

He noted that a new process for written exams and personal interviews was set to be announced soon. The legal researcher position, which serves as a stepping stone to becoming a junior prosecutor, is a “foundation stone in the judicial structure,” Al-Sumait said, adding that when this foundation is solid, it “strengthens the entire judicial edifice.” He described judicial roles as a “sacred trust and a heavy responsibility,” requiring those who hold them to speak truth and resolve disputes impartially. — Agencies

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Environment Public Authority is stepping up efforts to protect the environment by working closely with the country’s petrochemical industry to apply sustainable solutions, especially in waste management and reducing harmful emissions.

Nouf Bahbahani, Acting Director-General of the Environment Public Authority, met with representatives from the Petrochemical Industries Company on Thursday to explore ways to strengthen cooperation and share expertise that supports Kuwait’s national sustainability goals. In a statement to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Bahbahani highlighted the importance of the visit to the company’s headquarters as part of a partnership to launch environmental initiatives and events aimed at raising awareness. “The initiatives will also focus on the innovative and eco-friendly reuse of plastic waste,” she said.

Bahbahani also stressed the critical role industrial institutions play in adopting environmentally responsible practices. “Working with the Petrochemical Industry Company is a strategic step to enhance environmental awareness and apply sustainable solutions, particularly in waste management and reducing harmful emissions,” she added.

Officials from the petrochemical company expressed their readiness to back joint environmental initiatives and participate in projects designed to improve Kuwait’s environmental quality. They confirmed their commitment to local and international environmental standards, reflecting the company’s drive to boost social responsibility and sustainable development. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s ambitious 2025–2027 Education Reform Plan is over 60 percent complete, according to the Ministry of Education, with major milestones already in motion — including the launch of a new office for gifted students and the finalization of a revamped national curriculum for kindergarten through Grade 9.

The updates were presented this week by Minister of Education Jalal Al-Tabtabaei during a meeting at Bayan Palace chaired by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. Al-Tabtabaei outlined the reform plan’s six pillars — administrative, financial, engineering, education development, digital transformation, and international standards — which together include 39 strategic goals, 61 percent of which have already been achieved. He stressed that the plan is “progressing according to a well-studied timeline.”

Gifted students office

One of the key initiatives is the creation of a dedicated office for gifted students, which the minister described as “a platform to discover and develop student potential and provide a learning environment that fosters creativity.” The new office is part of the broader education development track, which also includes integrating AI and cybersecurity into Grade 10 computer science classes and updating teaching approaches to meet future learning needs.

Earlier this week, the ministry confirmed it has completed 88 textbooks for the upcoming curriculum: 2 for kindergarten, 46 for primary, and 40 for secondary levels. The books are now undergoing final language and design checks ahead of printing.

To reduce the burden on students, textbooks will be divided into four smaller parts spread across the academic year, starting in 2025–2026. The curriculum also includes 21st-century skills like critical thinking, self-learning, and problem-solving, with inclusive content tailored for different student needs. Training programs to prepare teachers for the new curriculum will begin ahead of the next academic year and will be offered both in person and online.

The minister stressed that the education reform plan is progressing on schedule, “with a commitment to applying best administrative practices to ensure a quality shift in public education in the State of Kuwait.”

The meeting was attended by Sheikh Khaled Mohammad Al-Khaled Al-Sabah, Acting Chief of the Prime Minister’s Diwan, Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education Mohammad Ghaleb Al-Khalidi, and several senior education officials. — KUNA