VELLED
THE ROAD LESS TRA
The world is a small place
as far as my daughter is
concerned and she is
independent enough to
explore new horizons on
her own. If we had stayed
at home, would she be the
same person? I don’t know
Expatriates are politely welcomed but tend not to and they are mostly co-educational. Whilst many people focused around socializing within the expat
integrate with Kuwait society. That said, expatriates are happy with primary education, come the age of communities, BBQ’s with family & friends, sleepovers
have plenty of freedom compared with neighbouring 11 to 13 when difficult decisions on secondary for the children and such like.
countries, some restrictions apply, in keeping with the schooling have to be made, many will opt for educating
cultural traditions. Expats can live freely in the their children back in their home countries, by boarding
The combination of multicultural classrooms and the
long holiday breaks providing opportunities for travel in
community, not in compounds as in Saudi Arabia. their children, or ending their work contracts to
the region give the children a good outlook on cultural
Women are respected, can drive and move about freely move elsewhere.
diversity and awareness of other countries and traditions
with little hassle.
other than their own. Immersion in the country also
Living is “easy”. Maids, drivers and the level of service in
How do the children fare?
provides the opportunity to learn the Arabic language
general is high compared with the UK for example. There is generally a high turnover of teachers each year
however few seem to become proficient as English is
Expat accommodation is all rented so few maintenance but this does not seem to be adversely detrimental,
widely spoken as the second language of most people.
worries or chores and no need for DIY to take up spare specialist subject teachers get through the curriculum.
Unlike Britain, for example, where working parents tend
time. Commuting distances are short so it all adds up to The school day is generally 8am to 2pm for most.
to be at work for long hours, or commuting, or shopping
more time to spend with family. Of course the climate Working hours for the parents in government or military
and fixing the house at the weekends, children in Kuwait
needs special mention. It’s a hot desert setting and so related employment tends to be 7am to 3pm so plenty
probably spend more time with their parents, both
everywhere is air-conditioned, except the great of after school hours for other activities.
during the week and at weekends. All in all, the children
outdoors, which for seven months is pleasantly warm
benefit from a strong family oriented society wherein
but for five months it is oppressively hot. Most Kuwaitis
The combination of multicultural
time spent with family and friends is valued in time-
and expats will leave the country to some bolt-hole for
classrooms and the long holiday breaks
honoured tradition.”
July and August when schools are out. June and
September have to be endured.
providing opportunities for travel in the
region give the children a good outlook
A mother’s perspective
So, what are the choices for education?
“Looking back over the last twenty years, as the mother
on cultural diversity and awareness of of three children who have travelled around the world,
Some opt for boarding at an early age but primary
other countries and traditions other
I can see all the pros and cons. Every child is unique.
school education is of a reasonable standard and many
than their own
Each child will take away different things from
choose to place their children in Kuwait schools. There
experiences. My eldest had five primary schools and
are state schools for Kuwaiti nationals and many private
lived in six houses before the age of eleven. She went to
schools that cater for everyone and most expatriate For the sporting-minded there are within short distances
senior school anticipating her next move to be, as usual
nationals. There are French, American, Italian, Indian, facilities for football, rugby, tennis and swimming
within two years and was disappointed to find she had
Philipino schools and so on. The English curriculum is coaching, but surprisingly for a warm climate with a long
to “stay put” for six. She coped well, settled easily, and
popular and taught in many of the private schools. Most coastline, water sports are very limited. Music and
was, by necessity, very adaptable. She was a popular
UK expats seem to narrow the choice down to half a drama is also well catered for both in and out of school.
girl and finished her school life as Head Girl.
dozen of the English schools that broadly follow the Outdoor activities are limited but the more intrepid may
National Curriculum. These schools have a multi-cultural go desert camping or sea fishing, at certain times of the She was a good friend to many but would always start
mix of nationalities which is a strength of the system year, but generally weekend activities tend to be to back away if they tried to get too close. Was this a
P. 2 9
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