Education.. Key To Kuwait's Sustainable Development, Prosperous Future

(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) By Muneera Al-Rabiea (News report)
KUWAIT, Sept 11 (KUNA) -- Education is considered a cornerstone for achieving sustainable development in Kuwait, where investment in human capital represents the most effective path to confront the challenges of unemployment and poverty while aligning with the ambitious national strategies of New Kuwait 2035 vision.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) stressed that inclusive and quality education is the fourth sustainable development goal, and Kuwait has allocated approximately KD 3.555 billion, around 15 percent of the national budget, to strengthen its educational system.
Kuwait's educational reforms aim to build a generation capable of innovation and competitiveness in regional and global labor markets, supported by initiatives such as digital curriculum development, technical and vocational learning, and teacher quality enhancement, aligning with sustainable development indicators.
Professor of Children's Literature and Curriculum at Kuwait University, Dr. Ali Al-Jaafar, explained to KUNA that the Arabic term "Tawer" which translates to improve or develop, conveys profound linguistic and philosophical dimensions, representing transformation from one state to another more mature and advanced form.
He emphasized that updating and developing curricula is a continuous process-keeping pace with global advances, with particular focus on technical skills, artificial intelligence, financial literacy, and vocational training, preparing youth for financial management, environmental awareness, and future societal responsibilities.
Al-Jaafar highlighted that development essentially signifies qualitative transformation, extending beyond textbooks or teaching styles, forming a holistic educational system that integrates content, teachers, and learning environments, ensuring that every component interacts to enrich students' overall educational experiences.
He added that curriculum development enhances not only academic knowledge but also social and moral growth, where learning subjects from multiple perspectives fosters ethical awareness, civic responsibility, and a deeper understanding of interconnected societal and global issues.
Students thus develop integrative personalities capable of linking knowledge, values, critical thinking, and application, preparing them effectively for the complex challenges of modern life with enhanced awareness, creativity, and adaptability to changing realities.
Professor of Administrative Sciences at Kuwait University, Dr. Yousef Al-Mutairi, stated to KUNA that financial literacy in education plays a vital role in sustainability, equipping individuals with skills necessary for rational resource management and informed economic decision-making.
He pointed to practical examples such as integrating financial literacy concepts into curricula, equipping youth with saving and planning abilities, supported by programs like "Bankee," a Kuwait National Bank initiative promoting financial awareness among school students.
Al-Mutairi stressed that Kuwait's educational infrastructure, particularly Sabah Al-Salem University City, was designed as a sustainability model with energy-efficient buildings and advanced resource management systems, supporting innovation, research, and modern learning environments across smart schools and technological laboratories.
He underlined that societal responsibility requires teaching future generations how to manage money responsibly, incorporating personal, family, and public financial management into education, which instills long-term discipline, prudence, and ethical attitudes toward economic resources.
Al-Mutairi also explained that Kuwait's curricula are increasingly aligned with labor market needs, through policies integrating fields like engineering, information technology, renewable energy, nursing, and through public-private partnerships and updated vocational education opportunities.
For instance, the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET) provides programs in cybersecurity, engineering, and solar system maintenance, enabling low-income individuals to access well-paid jobs in renewable energy and emerging technology sectors.
He further noted programs such as "Injaz Kuwait" and Kuwait University's Entrepreneurship Center, which teach students how to create small businesses, providing independent income sources and reducing reliance on government support while stimulating private-sector growth.
Women's empowerment through education is also fundamental to sustainable development, exemplified by initiatives like "Tamkeen Platform" offering training in digital skills, business management, and e-commerce, enabling women from low-income families to enter the labor market and launch independent projects.
Educated women contribute significantly to policy-making, healthcare, and family welfare, raising healthier and better-educated generations, thereby creating a more inclusive and sustainable society that supports long-term national stability and economic diversification.
Inclusion of people with special needs in education is recognized as both a human right and a development requirement, enabling equal employment opportunities, fostering dignity, strengthening social justice, and enhancing their contributions to society and the economy.
Environmental awareness initiatives are also increasingly integrated into schools, including the "Green Kuwait" program supported by the Ministry of Education, involving tree planting, recycling workshops, and Earth Day campaigns to encourage responsible resource use and reduce carbon footprints.
Kuwait University also leads research in sustainability, focusing on carbon reduction technologies and resource management, while its Entrepreneurship Center organizes competitions that encourage students to develop innovative solutions for waste management and sustainable tourism.
Kuwait's educational history has been shaped by notable pioneers such as Sheikh Yousef bin Essa Al-Qenaei, who founded modern schools, libraries, and supported women's education, and Sheikh Mubarak Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the country's first Minister of Education.
Other trailblazers include the first Kuwaiti woman with a doctorate in chemistry and former president of Kuwait University Dr. Faiza Al-Kharafi and the first Kuwaiti woman to study abroad, who championed female empowerment and education Lulwa Al-Qatami.
Physician and academic Dr. Abdulrazaq Al-Adwani, advanced research and higher education during the 1980s as president of Kuwait University, while NBK executive Manal Al-Mutair helped integrate sustainability and financial literacy programs into national education.
The cumulative outcomes of Kuwait's educational progress include reduced illiteracy rates, empowered women, strengthened innovation, diversified economy, enhanced environmental awareness, gradual transition toward digital learning, and reinforced national identity, all contributing to long-term stability and sustainable development. (end)
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