Daijiworld Media Network - Kuwait
Kuwait, Nov 14: Kuwait has approved a new work-hour system for employees in private schools, establishing a seven-hour workday designed to improve staff wellbeing, streamline school operations, and ensure full compliance with labor laws. The initiative, endorsed by First Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, represents a major step toward modernizing the private education sector and enhancing the work environment for teachers and administrative staff.
Under the new framework issued by the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM), private school employees will work five days a week for seven hours a day. Schools have the flexibility to reduce this to six hours daily, provided that the total weekly hours remain within legal limits. Employees are also entitled to a minimum one-hour rest break each day. The system aligns fully with Article 65 of Labour Law No. 6 of 2010, which defines permissible daily working hours and allows continuous presence in sectors, such as education, where uninterrupted work is essential.
The decision follows a comprehensive study conducted by PAM in cooperation with the Kuwaiti Federation of Private Schools. The study examined differences in schedules between Arabic and foreign curriculum schools, the varying operational needs of educational institutions, and the necessity for teaching and administrative staff to remain present throughout the school day. These findings highlighted the need for a modern, flexible, and regulated work-hour structure.
PAM stated that the new system is intended to enhance employee wellbeing and job satisfaction, improve operational efficiency in schools, and maintain high standards of teaching and administration. By ensuring structured and fair working hours, the policy protects employee rights while allowing schools to function smoothly.
PAM also confirmed that the system fully complies with existing labour regulations and accommodates the sector’s unique requirements. Schools must ensure that employees receive at least one hour of rest during the workday, maintaining both legal compliance and practical effectiveness.
The approval of this new work-hour system underscores Kuwait’s broader efforts to modernize private-sector employment practices. It reflects the government’s commitment to fostering healthy work environments, safeguarding employee rights, and ensuring educational continuity and stability. PAM emphasized that this initiative is a significant step toward raising labour standards in the private sector, while also strengthening human capital and supporting the long-term development of Kuwait’s education system.