‘GMRP clearance needed to obtain high degrees through scholarship’

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 8: As part of ongoing efforts to stamp out the phenomenon of fake credentials and protect public funds, Secretary General of the Government and Manpower Restructuring Program (GMRP) Fawzi AlMajdali disclosed that GMRP has presented a recommendation to Civil Service Commission (CSC) obliging Kuwaiti personnel in private sector who wish to obtain high academic degrees through scholarships to provide clearance from GMRP for that purpose, reports Al-Qabas daily.

It also specified sums, which Kuwaitis in private sector must refund before their appointment in public sector- with reference to those who received financial support illegally. This is part of measures to preserve public funds and prevent payments to undeserved personnel in future, added AlMajdali.

According to Cabinet Decision No. 572/2009, financial support for national personnel is not for all categories of citizens registered with any of the educational institutions or those undertaking training courses organized by Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET).

Al-Majdali noted the aforementioned recommendation was issued after a large number of public sector employees were found to be receiving subsidies meant for national personnel who are studying for high academic certificates.

He stressed that GMRP is conducting a study to make Kuwaitis employed in private sector equal with their colleagues in public sector in terms of granting them access to scholarships under the State’s strategy to encourage citizens to develop their skills to match the labor market demand.

Statistics show 35 national personnel at the Ministry of Public Works are to refund sums received illegally, followed by 24 in the Ministry of Education, 18 in Government Affairs Department of the Cabinet, 16 at Ministry of Electricity and Water, 15 at Civil Aviation Directorate, 13 at Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and 12 in the Ministry of Communication.

He reiterated GMRP has proposed raising the quota of national personnel in private sector with the aim of providing additional 17,000 jobs before the completion of review in coordination with relevant bodies. He said GMRP has registered 82,840 professions in private sector as administrative jobs currently occupied by expatriates, indicating those jobs could be occupied by Kuwaitis with little training and effort.