KUWAIT: Several violations were reported during the first week of Kuwait’s Grade 12 exams, the Ministry of Education confirmed on Tuesday, prompting administrative and legal action against staff involved. The breaches occurred even as more than 33,000 students began their first-term final exams under largely orderly conditions.
Two exam committee heads had their assignments canceled and were referred for investigation after failing to follow approved procedures. “Their actions contradicted the instructions and regulations for exam committees across all educational regions,” the ministry said, without giving more details. A national proctor was also removed for not fulfilling his duties, with the ministry noting that his conduct didn’t meet the expectations of his oversight role. Under the national proctor system introduced in 2025, experienced ministry staff serve as proctors, monitoring exam committees, supervising secure printing facilities and ensuring compliance with regulations. All proctors sign a pledge of neutrality and avoid conflicts of interest.
The reported violations came despite the ministry’s extensive security measures, which have been strengthened following past exam leaks. These include the deployment of 215 national proctors to oversee 176 committees, secure transportation of exam papers on 217 GPS-tracked buses and strict legal penalties for cheating or leaking exam content.
In its statement on Tuesday, the ministry stressed that Grade 12 exams operate under a comprehensive oversight system. Daily inspections, audit teams from the minister’s office, and continuous field visits by senior officials ensure full compliance with procedures. “The law applies to everyone without exception,” the ministry said. “Any breach will face legal and administrative measures to protect fairness, transparency, and students’ rights.” — Agencies
