Minors receive essential support as new school year begins

KUWAIT: The General Authority for Minors’ Affairs held a "Back to School” event on Wednesday at The Avenues mall, reflecting its commitment to supporting the mental, academic, and financial needs of children under its care. In an interview with Kuwait Times during the event, Hamad Al-Barjas, Director of the Authority, shared that preparations for the back-to-school season are a yearly effort that they are keen on keeping alive. Aside from the entertainment activities, he said that they provide financial assistance to families in need, helping them purchase their children’s school supplies.

He added that the Authority maintains regular contact with the children’s schools, offering academic support to those struggling with learning difficulties by closely monitoring their progress throughout the year. Al-Barjas described the event as both educational and entertaining, designed to equip children with the skills necessary to succeed in the upcoming academic semester. He noted that the Authority constantly evaluates and develops its programs to meet the evolving needs of the children in their care.

Tamader Al-Omar, Director of the Social and Educational care Department at the Authority, noted that this year’s event brought added value compared to previous years. With an increased focus on the children’s mental health, Consultant Psychiatrist Dr. Kawther Al-Yakout was invited to provide psychological consultations for those experiencing anxiety about the new school year. Additionally, gifts were distributed, and financial support was directly deposited into the bank accounts of families in need on the day of the event.

Dr Al-Yakout, along with Dr Bedour Al-Mutairi who work at the Social and Educational Department at the Authority, will continue to support children throughout the academic semester, addressing issues such as learning delays or difficulties, said Al-Omar. She also mentioned that the Authority’s outreach extends beyond school’s field trips, as they visit the children’s homes, encouraging their families, especially mothers, to participate in further educational courses. By the end of this month, Al-Omar announced that the Authority will host a special ceremony at one of the country’s prominent hotels to honor last year’s outstanding students, as a gesture of their encouragement of hardworking students.