KUWAIT: With midterm exams just days away for thousands of middle and high school students in public and private Arabic schools, the Ministry of Education reassured that recent shakeups within its personnel have not affected the exam printing process.
Last week, the Ministry dismissed several employees from the printing press responsible for producing the exams after uncovering serious violations. As a result, all exams handled by these employees were canceled, and new versions were requested. The ministry said it would replace the dismissed employees with new personnel who meet strict criteria and comply with the relevant exam regulations. In a statement released Saturday, the ministry announced it has completed the formation of the new committee for the Central Secure Printing Press, which handles high school exams.
The committee has already begun a thorough review of the equipment and technologies used in the preparation and printing processes. The ministry said it would evaluate the security protocols implemented at the press to ensure the highest standards of confidentiality and efficiency in the exam process. New versions of the scrapped high school exams are already being printed, it added.
Parents working at the press
Responsible for printing midterm and final exams, the printing press has been the center of scandals for years. In 2024, the Public Prosecution ordered the detention of several employees from the Ministry of Education, including the head of the secure printing press, on charges of leaking confidential exam information and involvement in money laundering.
In a recent review, the Ministry of Education uncovered several serious violations, including conflicts of interest involving employees at the Central Secure Printing Press, which is responsible for printing high school exams. An internal investigation revealed that seven employees at the press had first-degree relatives—specifically their children—who were set to take the exams. This directly violated the core principles of fairness and neutrality that govern the exam process.
Additionally, further violations were found in three regional secure printing presses responsible for middle school exams. These violations involved other staff members with first-degree relatives among the exam candidates, further breaching the ministry’s strict regulations. The ministry said it would take legal and administrative action against those responsible for the violations. New versions of the exams will also be printed.
Strict proctoring regulations
The review was conducted under the direct supervision of Minister of Education Jalal Al-Tabtabaei, who emphasized the need for strict security measures to ensure the fairness of the exams, aiming to maintain public trust in the educational system.
To further strengthen the exam process, Minister Al-Tabtabaei has instructed the ministry to implement stricter oversight of exam committees across all grade levels. No proctor or committee head will be allowed to supervise exams if they have first-degree relatives among the students taking the exams. This requirement will be monitored and documented as part of the ministry’s commitment to transparency and fairness.
Despite these changes, the ministry has assured the public that exams will proceed as scheduled, with no changes to the exam dates. The ministry has also stressed that all procedures will be followed meticulously to ensure that exams run smoothly and according to plan.
The primary goal of these actions is to ensure fairness and equal opportunity for all students, while restoring trust in the exam process. Minister Al-Tabtabaei emphasized his commitment to maintaining the integrity of the education system and stressed that no violations would be tolerated. Legal and administrative action will be taken against anyone found responsible for misconduct, ensuring that justice is served. The ministry will continue to monitor the exam process closely, particularly during grading and results recording, it said.
