The Ministry of Education announced on October 15 2026 that Minister Jalal Al-Tabtabaei cancelled all results from the fourth-stage examinations for applicants seeking educational supervisory positions. Al-Tabtabaei directed that the examinations be conducted again for every candidate who completed the related leadership training courses. The ministry said in a statement that the step followed the final report of an impartial investigation committee which examined complaints and irregularities raised by applicants and educators. This action covers the selection process for the 2025-2026 academic year and applies uniformly across all participants.
According to the ministry’s statement the committee included specialists from the Fatwa and Legislation Department along with ministry officials. The panel reviewed the full set of procedures for preparing storing and administering the electronic tests that followed the training phase. Its findings identified unlawful circulation of examination questions through social media outlets which the ministry said breached equal opportunity among candidates. The report was submitted directly to Al-Tabtabaei who then issued the cancellation order based on those conclusions.
The ministry stated that the new examination date venue duration and content will be announced through official channels at a later time. Applicants will receive specific notifications to guarantee sufficient preparation using only approved publicly available materials. This structured notification process forms part of the ministry’s commitment to transparency in the revised assessment according to its statement. The approach ensures every candidate receives equivalent information before the retake.
Kuwait Times reported that the committee had been formed earlier by Al-Tabtabaei specifically to address observations and alleged violations in the fourth stage of the supervisory selection. The panel evaluated question relevance confidentiality protocols and overall procedural compliance during the original testing period. Upon completion of its work the committee delivered conclusions that prompted the comprehensive nullification rather than any partial remedy. The ministry added that protecting the integrity of results remains central to subsequent administrative decisions on supervisory appointments.
Exam leakage cases have appeared in multiple Kuwaiti sectors in recent years. Gulf News reported that 2023 prosecutions involving high-school test leaks resulted in convictions carrying up to 10-year prison terms and combined fines exceeding 480 000 dinars for two defendants. A legislative amendment enacted in 2025 raised penalties for leaking selling or altering examination content with prison terms ranging from two to 10 years and fines as high as 20 000 dinars according to updates to the penal code. These precedents illustrate the legal framework applied when irregularities surface in any official testing program.
The Ministry of Education stressed that confidence in the supervisory selection process depends on objective criteria and procedures free from irregularities. Its statement noted that the retake decision safeguards applicants’ rights while reinforcing professional standards in the education field. Al-Tabtabaei’s order aligns with similar reviews conducted by other government bodies when complaints question examination fairness. The ministry will continue to update candidates through established communication platforms as logistical details for the retake are confirmed.
