The Ministry of Social Affairs has directed its concerned department to summon the child’s guardian along with the person in charge of the nursery for immediate questioning over the circumstances depicted in the video, according to Acting Undersecretary Faisal Al-Kandari. Al-Kandari said the step came upon clear instructions from Minister of Social Affairs, Family and Childhood Affairs Dr. Amthal Al-Huwailah, who ordered all necessary measures to address the case. The ministry will determine appropriate legal action once the investigation concludes, a process that underscores the government’s emphasis on safeguarding young children in care facilities.
Al-Kandari stressed that directives on child protection leave no room for leniency toward any violation that endangers minors, the ministry reported. He added that anyone found responsible will face legal consequences without exception. Such firm positioning aligns with broader regulatory frameworks that place nurseries under continuous ministry oversight rather than educational authorities, a distinction the Cabinet reaffirmed in 2025 to prioritize social and developmental care for children under four years old.
All nurseries operating in Kuwait must install surveillance cameras under a standing ministry circular designed to bolster monitoring and deter potential harm, Al-Kandari noted in his statement. The requirement forms part of standard licensing conditions intended to protect children while allowing authorities to review footage when concerns arise. Compliance with these rules is verified through regular inspections, though the current case has highlighted gaps that can still occur despite existing mandates.
Ministry data from July 2026 placed the total number of licensed nurseries across the country at 462, all subject to ongoing supervision, inspection and evaluation under Law No. 22 of 2014, according to then-Undersecretary Dr. Khaled Al-Ajmi. That review showed the ministry had conducted 75 inspection tours in various governorates during the preceding period, identifying violations primarily related to age-group compliance and fee structures rather than safety breaches. Officials rejected 50 new license applications that year for failing to meet technical or legal standards while approving others only after thorough vetting.
The latest investigation arrives as the ministry continues joint coordination with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, the Kuwait Municipality and the General Fire Force to address any unlicensed or substandard operations, a framework established following 2025 reviews of early childhood facilities. These collaborative efforts aim to close loopholes that could place children at risk, building on executive regulations that set strict qualifications for nursery directors and detailed obligations for child supervision. Authorities have previously applied graduated disciplinary measures ranging from warnings to license suspension depending on the severity of infractions.
Public concern over the viral video has renewed focus on the balance between expanding access to early childhood services and maintaining rigorous safety standards across all facilities. The Ministry of Social Affairs has encouraged investment in the sector while insisting that safety remains non-negotiable, a position reiterated in multiple recent announcements. Further updates on the current probe are expected once officials complete their review of statements from those summoned.
