Advocacy movement slams mass teacher layoffs as ‘rash’ decision

Advocacy movement slams mass teacher layoffs as ‘rash’ decision

By Faten Omar

KUWAIT: The hashtag “Education_Ministry”, trended on Twitter this weekend, with thousands of citizens and residents commenting on the recent teacher layoffs announced by the government. The ministry of education had issued a notice Wednesday that it’s ending the services of around 1,900 non-Kuwaiti teachers at the end of the current academic year, as part of its efforts in implementing the Kuwaitization policy.

The concerned sectors have given termination letters to those in charge of the matter at the country’s various educational districts, who will then give them to the laid-off teachers, informing them that their employment will be terminated as of June. Kuwaiti Progressive Movement said in a tweet that terminating 1,900 teachers, including experienced teachers with Kuwaiti mothers and bedoons, was a rash decision by the ministry of education and the Civil Service Bureau.

The movement said it was not against Kuwaitization, but was not pleased with how the ministry’s abrupt action didn’t give the teachers enough time to sort out their situation. The decision could also lead to a staff shortage, the movement said, putting pressure on working teachers who will have to take on extra teaching hours. The movement called on the government to reverse its decision.

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