KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait’s Ministry of Education has announced that in-person classes for secondary school students will resume starting Sunday, May 3, 2026, in both public and private schools, in line with a Cabinet decision.
Education Minister Jalal Al-Tabtabai said final exams for secondary students will be conducted in person, with new exam formats to reflect the reduced curriculum due to the shortened academic period. Students will also receive revision sessions covering lessons taught during distance learning.
Authorities will set final exam schedules for all three secondary grades and adjust the academic calendar accordingly, taking into account differences in subjects across education systems. School hours will also be modified to focus on core subjects, while non-core subject teachers will assist with administrative tasks. Rapid response teams will be activated to handle emergencies in schools.
Meanwhile, distance learning will continue for kindergarten, primary, and intermediate levels across all systems, including public, private, religious education, and adult learning, along with ongoing academic assessments.
For special education schools, teachers will attend in person, while student attendance will remain optional based on parental preference. In schools following the general curriculum, lower grades will continue online, while secondary students will return to classrooms.
The ministry also instructed a comprehensive inspection of schools, including cleaning, maintenance, and ensuring building safety, along with checks on air conditioning systems to prepare for reopening.
Private schools have been given flexibility to choose between in-person or distance learning for secondary classes, depending on their circumstances, but final exams must be held in person.
