The Emergence and Development of Education in Kuwait (1961-1981)

Abstract

This study aims to clarify the origins and development of education in Kuwait from 1760 to 1981, highlighting the role of katateeb (traditional learning centers) and the contributions of the Kuwaiti Council of Education, which helped shift the trajectory of education by sending educational missions abroad in 1938, especially following the increased oil revenue, which led to the establishment of numerous schools. Thus, the evolution of the educational environment in Kuwait included two main stages: primary and secondary education, encompassing both males and females. This progress culminated in a complete educational system across various fields and the introduction of modern curricula.

The Council of Education also played a significant role in establishing institutes in Kuwait and acted as a cultural center, overseeing libraries. With substantial advancements in education, there arose a pressing need for a university in Kuwait, which was established in 1966. This university became a cornerstone of Kuwait’s educational and intellectual renaissance, graduating a significant number of students across various disciplines during the 1970s and 1980s.