KUWAIT: With theincreasing number of nurseries that have reached over 680, a new department ofthe ministry of social affairs will be formed soon to manage the affairs ofnurseries in Kuwait. For this purpose, a ministry decree was issued recently toform this department with enough staff for supervision.
Hanaa Al-Hajery,Deputy Undersecretary of Social Development and Secretary General of theSupreme Council of Family Affairs, explained that the Ministry of SocialAffairs (MSA) has stopped issuing new licenses for nurseries until the newdepartment is ready to operate. "The decree was issued and was approved bythe Civil Service Commission. There are still some technical procedures thathave to be done at the ministry, including setting the number of employees inthe department, their degrees and so on," she told Kuwait Times.
Previously, theCabinet had decided to move the supervision of the nurseries to the ministry ofeducation from the MSA, but this decision was canceled. "Due to the youngage of children attending the nurseries, it was decided that nurseries besupervised by the MSA. Previously, the mother and childhood department was incharge and now the new department will replace it," added Hajery.
The child'srights law issued by MSA mandates inspection of nurseries. "The law alsospecifies sanctions against violators, aiming to protect the child ineducational, cultural and other aspects. It also deals with violence againstchildren. Therefore, we need more staff to supervise and inspect the hugenumber of nurseries. For this purpose, the new department was formed includinginspections, issuance of licenses, legal matters and others," sheexplained.
"There aremany unlicensed nurseries, and it is the responsibility of MSA along with otherauthorities to inspect them. Also, new rules will be added or changed whenissuing a new license for a nursery," concluded Hajery.
By NawaraFattahova