Egypt moves to address Kuwait teachers’ job losses

Egypt is seeking job opportunities in Kuwait’s private schools for teachers affected by a decision to end thousands of education contracts, as Cairo works with Kuwaiti officials to find solutions to the issue.

Egypt’s Teachers’ Union welcomed moves by the Foreign Ministry to address the situation, praising efforts led by Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty to contain the impact of the decision.

The union said one option under discussion was allowing the affected teachers to work in private schools, enabling Kuwait to benefit from their experience and qualifications while allowing them to remain in the country.

READ: British university re-enrolls Egyptian student suspended over pro-Palestinian protests

Egyptian Teachers’ Union chief Khalaf Al-Zanaty said he had contacted the Kuwait Teachers Society to discuss ways of making use of the teachers’ expertise within Kuwait’s education sector.

Al-Zanaty said the talks with the Kuwait Teachers Society, a member of the Arab Teachers Union, which he heads, had been “welcomed”. He expressed hope that joint efforts would produce positive solutions in the coming days.

Kuwait’s Education Ministry earlier announced the first phase of a plan to address a surplus in teaching staff. The plan includes ending the contracts of about 7,019 teachers from Arab and other foreign nationalities in subjects where data showed staffing levels exceeded schools’ actual needs.

READ: Gaza’s Kuwait Specialty Hospital suspends routine services over fuel shortage