Kuwait’s Ministry of Education has approved a comprehensive set of regulations governing schools for gifted students, aiming to create a specialized educational environment that nurtures the talents and capabilities of this demographic. The move, announced on September 16 by Minister of Education Sayed Jalal Al-Tabtabaei, seeks to enhance educational programs that foster scientific and creative achievements aligned with the country’s development goals.
The new regulations consist of 70 articles across nine chapters, providing an inclusive framework that covers nomination, identification, admission, academic systems, enrichment programs, assessment methods, and student monitoring. They apply to the gifted schools themselves, enrolled students, and their teaching, administrative, and technical support staff. Implementation will initially begin at the intermediate level (grades six through nine) in the 2026/2027 academic year, with expansion to other stages to be determined by further ministerial decisions.
Gifted schools will operate under the supervision of the Office for the Gifted, which oversees administrative, financial, and technical aspects. The identification process for gifted students employs scientifically approved tools measuring general mental ability, academic achievement, and creativity, supplemented by personal interviews. Students are ranked based on their performance, with admission contingent on available capacity and a reserve list maintained to fill potential vacancies.
Curricula in gifted schools will follow the official Ministry of Education programs supplemented by an enrichment subject taught twice weekly, focusing on academic enhancement, applied projects, critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and participation in competitions. Class sizes are capped at 16 to provide a conducive learning environment, and transportation is arranged to align with school schedules.
A new assessment system grades the enrichment subject out of 100 points, divided among project work (60 points), achievements in activities and competitions (20 points), and coursework encompassing thinking skills and behavior (20 points). Students’ continued enrollment requires maintaining an overall final grade of at least 90 percent and a minimum score of 75 in the enrichment subject.
The regulations mandate early intervention if a student’s performance deteriorates during the semester. Schools must notify parents and coordinate with a gifted support committee—including the principal, assistant principals, department heads, a psychologist, and a social worker—to develop and monitor tailored remedial plans. Decisions on continued enrollment rest at the end of the academic year, with parents retaining the right to appeal and the option for students to transfer to general education schools without penalty if the gifted program is deemed unsuitable.
Each gifted school is required to employ a psychologist and a social worker to address students’ psychological and social needs while maintaining parental communication. Additionally, a cumulative student file—including test results, psychological and academic records, project portfolios, and counseling documentation—is established to facilitate individualized monitoring while safeguarding data privacy.
The regulations also guarantee the rights of gifted students and their parents to access suitable educational and enrichment programs, review curricula and progress, and receive clear communication regarding enrollment conditions and decisions. This approach aims to foster a collaborative partnership between schools and families in supporting gifted students’ academic and personal development.