On September 7, 2026, the Kuwait Ministry of Education announced a plan to terminate the contracts of approximately 7,019 foreign teachers as the first phase of a workforce restructuring initiative. This move aims to address a surplus of 33,268 teachers identified within the total teaching workforce of 91,761 staff members.
- 7,019 foreign teacher contracts to end in phase one
- Surplus of 33,268 teachers identified in total workforce
- Projected annual salary savings of KD 42 million
- Official notices to be sent via the Sahel app
The reduction is projected to save approximately KD 42 million in annual salary expenditure. Affected employees will receive official notification through the government's Sahel application. The Ministry emphasized that the termination process is not a blanket policy but will be implemented based on actual school requirements, specialization, and staffing balance. Surplus positions have been identified across various levels. In boys' schools, surplus subjects include Arabic, English, Islamic Education, Art, and Music at the primary level; Islamic Education, Social Studies, Art, Music, Electricity, and Decoration at the intermediate level; and Chemistry, Philosophy, Geology, Islamic Education, Art, Music, and Geography at the secondary level. In girls' schools, surplus subjects include Mathematics, Arabic, Art, Physical Education, and Music at the primary level; Music, Physical Education, Islamic Education, Science, Mathematics, Arabic, and Electricity at the intermediate level; French at the secondary level; and Music Education at the kindergarten level.
While the Ministry did not release a nationality-wise breakdown, Indian teachers employed in Kuwaiti government schools are advised to monitor the Sahel app for official notifications. According to reports from the Kuwait Times on September 7, the teaching workforce currently consists of 70.6% Kuwaiti staff, 10.1% GCC nationals and stateless residents, and 19.3% Arab and other foreign nationals. The Ministry stated that employment rights will be protected according to approved administrative and legal procedures, though it did not specify individual grace periods or residency-transfer deadlines. Indian teachers are urged to verify their status directly through school administration or Ministry HR channels, keep digital copies of employment records, and exercise caution regarding unofficial social media lists or unsolicited recruitment offers. The Ministry noted that this restructuring is part of a broader Kuwaitization policy, prioritizing national cadres where qualified candidates are available, while continuing to hire foreign expertise in subjects experiencing shortages.
