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This Is Why Private Schools Are Better Than Government Schools

Posted By The Media Line Staff On In Mideast Mindset

The ongoing preference for private schools over public schools is attributed to the Kuwaiti government’s lack of investment in educational staff, the degradation of teachers’ status, and the development of evaluation methods. According to an academic study conducted in Kuwait in 2019, the increase in government spending on education has not led to an improvement in its quality. The study examined Kuwait’s education spending over the past 35 years and concluded that the sector’s development was only quantitative and not qualitative; focusing on expanding facilities and increasing the number of schools and classrooms without enhancing the quality of instruction. Government schools, from kindergarten through primary, middle, and high school, are established and funded by the government. The curricula and exams are standardized at the state level, with government schools predominantly using Arabic for instruction. In contrast, private schools teach most subjects in English, particularly scientific subjects like mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology. This difference in language of instruction and curriculum, derived from the educational system the private school follows (British or American), sets private schools apart from their public counterparts. While private schools are privately owned and financed through things like student tuition fees and admissions exams, parents accept these conditions for their children to receive education in English and gain access to prestigious international universities. Private schools offer various extracurricular activities, interactive classrooms, and support for students’ hobbies and extracurricular activities. Parents opt for private schools to ensure a high-quality academic environment and educational achievement for their children. Private schools are known for their efficient and high-standard teaching, with teachers encouraged to be creative with their methods, positively engage with students, and support their self-development. Failure to meet school goals may result in dismissal for private school teachers, unlike Kuwaiti teachers in public schools who may not face consequences for underperformance, highlighting a key difference between the two systems. —Bahija Al-Behbehani (translated by Asaf Zilberfarb)