‘Absense of stranded teachers will not affect educational process significantly’

Move to bring back 120 judicial officials from Egypt

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 13: As the start of the new academic year which is scheduled for Oct 4 – the date set by the Ministry of Education in consideration of the expatriate teachers who are stranded in their countries to stop the payment of their salaries – is fast approaching; acting Assistant Undersecretary for Educational Development and Student Activities Sector Faisal Al-Maqsid confirmed that the number of these teachers does not exceed 1,000 and their absence will not significantly affect the educational process, reports AlJarida daily.

Al-Maqsid told the daily that the ministry looked into the specializations of these teachers and tried to limit their number, considering the decision to start the new academic year in October through distance education. He affirmed the virtual education mechanism and plans for teaching through the available educational staff guarantee the progress of the educational process.

He added the concerned ministry officials are coordinating with the relevant committee regarding the implementation of health measures and regulations to curb the spread of coronavirus. He also clarified that the decision on the return of stranded teachers lies in the hands of the health authorities.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Justice and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) are currently coordinating their efforts to facilitate the return of 120 judges, advisors and prosecutors from Egypt in order to complete their work in the Public Prosecution and the courts, reports Al-Jarida daily quoting sources.

Sources disclosed the abovementioned legal staff would have returned to the country if not for the relevant authorities’ decision to ban flights from 32 countries, including Egypt, as part of the precautionary measures to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Sources said the judicial season cannot start early in October if the above-mentioned legal workers do not return to the country to ensure normal flow of work in judicial departments.

In addition, the same sources stated that the Court of Cassation intends to increase the number of judicial departments in the new season; including the civil, commercial and administrative departments in a bid to address the problem of accumulation of appeals submitted to the court – more than 32,000.