No decision yet on end of academic year: Al-Maqseed

MoE faces problem over not paying salaries of employees on leave

KUWAIT CITY, April 26: Assistant Undersecretary for Educational Development and Activities at the Ministry of Education Faisal AlMaqseed refuted information circulated recently regarding the end of the academic year, indicating that until now no such decision has been taken and what is being circulated is just speculation without basis, reports Al-Anba daily.

Al-Maqseed revealed the assistant undersecretaries in the ministry met recently to discuss various scenarios in case the country’s health crisis continues beyond Aug 4 – the announced date for resumption of the 12th grade school year.

He said the Ministry of Education and Higher Education issued a decision regarding distance education for private schools, pointing out this option is available in case the students want to complete the curriculum through Internet.

As for the public education, he explained the study materials were photocopied for all levels; reaffirming that distance education is an option, not compulsory.

Asked about the condition of ministry buildings handed over to the concerned authorities, he said these buildings, especially the public schools, were refurbished by the concerned authorities with the intention of benefiting from them. He affirmed an agreement has been reached to sterilize the schools before handing them back to the ministry once the crisis ends.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education is facing a problem in the process of not paying the salaries of its Kuwaiti employees and others who were on leave – whether annual, maternity or motherhood leave days – before the government decided to suspend work due to the exceptional circumstances that the country is going through, reports Al-Anba daily.

Informed educational sources revealed to the daily that the salaries of employees whose leaves ended during the public holiday will be suspended, indicating that these employees should submit a letter approved by their superiors to resume work so the concerned authorities can take the usual salary payment procedures.

Sources disclosed the payment of salaries for many employees will stop because they did not resume their work after their leave, pointing out there is no decision authorizing the disbursement of the salary without starting work after the leave.

Sources added the ministry is currently coordinating with the Civil Service Commission to find a solution to this problem.