Kuwait’s Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy, along with the Ministry of Education, has implemented new operational and behavioral guidelines as the summer heat subsides and preparations begin for the upcoming academic year.
Following a summer marked by extreme temperatures reaching up to 50 degrees Celsius, ministry officials in the electricity sector have coordinated closely to manage electricity consumption and maintenance work. The Power Plants Sector and Monitoring and Control Centers Sector collaborated to schedule temporary shutdowns of power units and desalination plants, allowing essential maintenance activities to proceed without disrupting service. The ministry reported that no planned power outages occurred during the peak summer months, crediting rapid response teams and load management strategies for efficiently addressing emergency outages. Minister Sabih Al-Mukhaizeem and Undersecretary Dr. Adel Al-Zamel have been directly involved in monitoring the maintenance program to ensure timely completion. The ministry is preparing a detailed report on summer consumption trends, conservation measures implemented, and results compared with previous years.
In a separate development, the Ministry of Education has reinforced regulations governing conduct within schools to promote professionalism, protect public resources, and safeguard data privacy. Undersecretary Dr. Khaled Al-Rasheed issued a circular outlining controls and prohibitions based on existing ministerial decisions and civil service codes. The circular prohibits the collection of money or acceptance of donations within schools by staff, students, or parents for any purpose. It also bans commercial promotion, sales activities, and the misuse of school jobs or assets for personal gain. All contracts and financial transactions must adhere strictly to formal regulations.
The guidelines place particular emphasis on school food safety. Unapproved food and beverage items are banned from school premises, and canteen operations must comply with health standards as outlined by the General Authority for Food and Nutrition and the Ministry of Health. Regular daily supervision is mandated to ensure compliance, with records of any breaches maintained and reported to relevant authorities. Violations by contractors must be addressed immediately, with noncompliance potentially leading to contract termination.
The circular further restricts the organization of events, photography, and use of the school or ministry’s name and logos without prior written approval. Staff are prohibited from sharing images or data of students or ministry employees on social media or personal accounts without explicit consent, and from disseminating confidential information or rumors that could harm the reputation of the ministry or educational community.
Professional conduct is strongly emphasized, with teachers and administrators expected to serve as role models, uphold ethical behavior, and foster respectful relationships with students and colleagues. The use of mobile phones or smart devices during class for non-educational purposes is banned to prevent disruptions.
School administrations are responsible for communicating these regulations to all employees, documenting acknowledgments, displaying the circular prominently, and taking prompt action to address violations, including referral to legal and disciplinary authorities as necessary.
Additionally, Dr. Al-Rasheed has set official school hours for the 2026/2027 academic year across various educational institutions. Kindergarten hours will run from 7:15 a.m. to 12:05 p.m.; elementary schools from 7:15 a.m. to 1:25 p.m.; preparatory schools from 7:30 a.m. to 1:40 p.m.; and high schools from 7:45 a.m. to 1:55 p.m., with adjustments for modular and special needs schools. Gifted student schools will follow the same schedule as standard high schools.
These measures reflect Kuwait’s efforts to ensure efficient resource management and maintain high standards of education and administrative integrity as the country transitions into the new academic year.