Overview of the General Education System

The modern education system in Kuwait was established in the early 20th century, with formal schooling beginning in the 1930s. Prior to that, education was informal and centered around Al-Katatib, where religious studies, Arabic, and basic arithmetic were taught. In 1936, the Ministry of Education (MoE) was founded, leading to structured education reforms. The discovery of oil in the 1950s significantly boosted investment in education, leading to free and compulsory education for Kuwaiti citizens.

Kuwait’s education system is divided into four main levels:

Pre-primary (Kindergarten) – Ages 4-6 (not compulsory)
Primary Education- Grades 1-5 (Ages 6-10)
Intermediate Education- Grades 6-9 (Ages 11-14)
Secondary Education -Grades 10-12 (Ages 15-17)

Higher Education- Universities, colleges and vocational training institutes are offering programs for higher education purposes. The school year runs from September to June and follows a two-semester system.

Kuwait Resources