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Families in Kuwait disheartened by off-campus graduation ban

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3 days ago

May 30, 2025

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Last-minute decision to restrict ceremonies to school auditoriums shatters seniors’ graduation dreams

KUWAIT: Sara had a lot to look forward to in the final stretch of her senior year. Soon, she would walk the stage she had dreamed of since first grade, with her family and friends cheering for her. For many students like Sara, preparing for graduation goes beyond studying for those crucial finals — it’s also about the celebration afterwards. The excitement of choosing an outfit and planning how to mark the occasion is just as important as the academic achievement.

But a recent ministry of education decision banning schools from holding graduation ceremonies outside school grounds has shattered Sara’s dream, and that of many of her peers. In late April, Education Minister Jalal Al-Tabtabaei issued a directive requiring all graduation ceremonies and school events to be held on campus, specifically in school auditoriums. The ministry has not publicly explained the reasoning behind the decision.

The announcement came just weeks before the school year ends. “The decision was very last minute and it had us all shocked,” said Sara, a Kuwaiti graduating senior. “We’ve been waiting since we were young for this celebration so we could feel appreciated for all the work that we put into school. Now it won’t be the same.”

‘Auditoriums are rundown’

Wearing a cap and gown to mark years of hard work is a meaningful milestone anywhere in the world. But in Kuwait, graduation has become more than a simple school ceremony. In recent years, it has evolved into a lavish celebration, often held in five-star hotel ballrooms or exclusive event halls. Some ceremonies feature extravagant setups — red carpets, indoor fireworks and massive stage displays — far beyond what most school auditoriums can accommodate.

As soon as exams conclude and certificates are handed out, a race begins to book prestigious venues — spaces once reserved for weddings and major public events. These celebrations are now planned with budgets that rival those for Eid or even wedding seasons.

Laura, an expat mother whose daughter is set to graduate next year, said the decision to ban off-campus ceremonies has taken away some of that joy. “For the students, I would think, if you work so hard sitting in those walls all day long, you don’t want to celebrate your graduation at the same place. You don’t want it to feel like recess,” she said.

While the decision calls for holding the event at school auditoriums, critics say it doesn’t address the fact that the facilities are often poorly maintained. “The problem is that school auditoriums are rundown — they need funding and time to be renovated. At our school, the last graduating class to hold their ceremony on campus was before the invasion,” said Abdullah, a high school student, referring to Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait 34 years ago.

The ban is especially disappointing for Mariam, Sara’s mother, who had hoped to share her daughter’s big day with extended family — including siblings and grandparents.

When schools host events on campus, attendance is typically limited to just two guests, usually the parents. External venues, by contrast, can accommodate hundreds, allowing families to invite more loved ones — though that often comes at a steep cost. Some parents told Kuwait Times they’ve paid up to KD 50 per guest. Many schools also offer sit-down dinners and professional photography, turning the occasion into a full-scale celebration. “Graduation parties held outside are better organized and just nicer overall,” said Amina, a parent. “Money shouldn’t be the issue when it comes to celebrating your kids — especially high school grads.”

‘Why go that far?’

Yet over the years, many parents and observers have criticized these lavish ceremonies. Costs can climb into the hundreds or even thousands of Kuwaiti dinars per student. Families often feel pressured to keep up, and students from less affluent households may end up feeling excluded. “Of course it’s a celebration of a lifetime but it’s not right to strain your pocket for a party,” said Noura, a mother of three and a grandmother. “It’s a huge chunk of money that’s better spent elsewhere, especially if a family has two or three kids.”

Laura acknowledges the financial burden, but said she believes the recent ban leaves families with no real alternatives. “I think there are more affordable ways to do it — it doesn’t have to be at a five-star hotel,” she said. She added that expectations are tied to the school’s demographic. “It depends on the kind of school you go to,” Laura said. “If the fees are, say, six or seven thousand dinars a year, then most families can afford a more elaborate celebration. But if you’re at a school that charges KD 500 or 600 a year, the expectations shift — you work around what your parent community can afford.”

Noura said the expenses go beyond the ticket price. “The young girls who spend tons of money on getting their hair and makeup done at a salon, as if going to a wedding — why go that far?” she said. “A nice dress under your gown and your cap is enough to make you beautiful like a rose.”

Still, some parents are trying to stay hopeful. “At the moment, I’m kind of hoping they change their minds,” said Laura. “We still have one year left. But if not, then I’ll probably just arrange something small — maybe a dinner at a nice restaurant with some of her friends, our own little celebration.”

Note: Kuwait Times has changed the names of people in this article to protect their identity.

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Kuwait welcomes Syrian President amid renewed engagement

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5 minutes ago

June 1, 2025

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KUWAIT: The official visit of Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa and his accompanying delegation to Kuwait Sunday carries special significance in the context of Kuwaiti-Syrian relations. During the visit, he held official talks with His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, affirming Kuwait’s steadfast and supportive stance toward Syria, its people, unity, and full sovereignty over its territory.

Formal diplomatic ties between Kuwait and Syria were established on October 24, 1963, with Syria opening its first embassy in Kuwait. This was soon followed by the opening of the Kuwaiti Embassy in Damascus, marking a new phase of constructive cooperation and joint coordination on Arab and international issues. Over six decades, these relations have witnessed fruitful collaboration across various fields.

However, between 2012 and 2024, relations were interrupted due to the security situation in Syria. On March 15, 2012, Kuwait announced the closure of its embassy in Damascus, in line with the Gulf Cooperation Council’s (GCC) position and due to deteriorating security conditions. Kuwaiti diplomats were instructed to leave Syria, and remaining Kuwaiti citizens were urged to depart swiftly.

On December 30 of last year, ties witnessed a significant development with the visit of Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya to Damascus in his capacity as Chairman of the GCC Ministerial Council—a step reflecting the GCC’s commitment to regional security and stability. Following his meeting with Syria’s new head of government, President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, Al-Yahya stated that the visit delivered a message of solidarity from the GCC, affirming its unwavering position on the importance of preserving Syria’s unity, territorial integrity, sovereignty, and rejecting external interference in its internal affairs.

HH the Amir, HH the Crown Prince, and HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah meet Syrian officials during their visit to Kuwait.

Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah waves goodbye to Syria’s President Ahmed Al-Sharaa. — Photos by Kuwait’s Amiri Diwan and SANA / AFP

Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah welcomes Ahmed Al-Sharaa at Bayan Palace in Kuwaiti City on June 1, 2025.

He also noted that His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah had directed the provision of urgent food and medical aid to the Syrian people in response to the pressing humanitarian situation. That same day, Kuwait launched the first flights of a humanitarian air bridge to support the Syrian people, in line with Kuwait’s leading humanitarian role and its commitment to alleviating suffering and expressing solidarity with Syrians.

The Kuwait Red Crescent Society, tasked with managing the air bridge, stated that the aid aims to address shortages in supplies and provide basic necessities to help Syrians meet their daily living needs.

Over the past decades, leaders and high-level officials from both countries have engaged in reciprocal visits, including delegations of businesspeople and investors, with the goal of strengthening cooperation across sectors, sharing successful experiences, and exchanging expertise to advance development in both nations.

Kuwait and Syria are linked by numerous agreements and memoranda of cooperation, particularly in the economic, commercial, scientific, and technical fields. Since 1969, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) has financed several development projects in Syria, especially in transportation, water, energy, industry, and communications.

Syria also contributed to the liberation of Kuwait in 1991 by dispatching troops as part of the international coalition in implementation of United Nations resolutions. Kuwait, in turn, has repeatedly affirmed its support for Syria’s efforts to regain its occupied Golan Heights.

Kuwait took a clear stance on the Syrian crisis that began in 2011. It called, through the UN Security Council, for an end to war crimes, the facilitation of humanitarian aid delivery, and the lifting of sieges on civilian areas. Kuwait expressed grave concern over the continued use of heavy and internationally banned weapons against innocent civilians. It strongly condemned the forced displacement of the Syrian people and repeated attacks on medical facilities and civilian infrastructure, including airstrikes. Kuwait has stressed the need for international action to end the violence in Syria. Kuwait hosted the first three international donor conferences to support the humanitarian situation in Syria in 2013, 2014, and 2015, raising significant pledges—over 90 percent of which were fulfilled. In February 2016, Kuwait co-chaired the fourth donor conference with the UK, hosted in London, focusing on Syria and support for neighboring countries bearing the burden of the crisis.

Kuwait has continued to participate in subsequent donor conferences, most recently the Brussels Conference hosted by the European Union in March this year. The conference was attended by Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani and featured high-level international, Arab, and regional participation.

Through KFAED, the Kuwait Red Crescent, and various Kuwaiti charities, Kuwait has provided significant humanitarian aid to displaced Syrians inside the country and to refugees in neighboring countries, especially Lebanon, Jordan, and Turkey. Over the past five months, Kuwait has reaffirmed through numerous statements by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs its consistent position supporting Syria’s unity and full sovereignty. It stressed the importance of international solidarity and stepped-up humanitarian and development efforts to support the Syrian people and ease their suffering.

On December 9, 2024, Kuwait condemned the Zionist entity’s occupation forces’ takeover of the buffer zone on the Syrian border, calling it a blatant violation of international law and UN Security Council resolutions. On May 2, it also condemned an airstrike launched by those forces near the presidential palace in Damascus, again calling it a clear violation of Syrian sovereignty.

On May 13, Kuwait welcomed US President Donald Trump’s announcement lifting sanctions on Syria. On May 21, Kuwait welcomed the European Union’s decision to lift economic sanctions on Syria, describing it as an important step toward rebuilding the country and meeting its people’s aspirations for development and prosperity. — KUNA

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June 1, 2025

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KUWAIT: A fire broke out in two apartments in a residential building in Riggae on Sunday, killing five people and wounding several others. Kuwait Fire Force said in a statement that three people were found dead on the scene, while KFF spokesman Brigadier General Mohammed Al-Gharib said later that two more people died from their injuries in hospital. Gharib warned the death toll could rise due to the severity of some of the burns. An investigation was opened to determine the cause of the fire, KFF noted.