By Ghadeer Ghloum

KUWAIT: School is an integral part of young individuals’ daily life. Imagine if you were to experience the challenges and the toxicity of this experience for most days of your childhood and the beginning years of your life. This is what high school student Awrad Al-Haddad, Zainab Dashti and AlKawther Ghloum complained to Kuwait Times about their experience in public schools in Kuwait, shedding light on the factors that contribute to toxic environments.

Traffic congestions

Kuwait’s roads are notorious for heavy traffic, especially during peak hours.  For students commuting to school, this congestion presents a significant hurdle, impacting both their physical and mental well-being. Lengthy periods spent in overcrowded buses or cars can lead to fatigue, stress and reduced concentration levels. “From the beginning of the day, before we arrive at school, we experience daily stress due to the unusual traffic congestion.

Also, on our way back home after finishing school, we get stuck in the hot weather and on the road, not to mention that we have to pick up my siblings from another school.  I feel like I want to vomit, which makes the school experience from the very beginning to arriving home tiring, exhausting and nerve-wracking,” Awrad said. Students may arrive late for school, missing out on valuable learning time and feeling rushed and anxious upon arrival.

Unwelcoming treatment upon arrival

Zainab spoke about the strict dress code and unnecessary enforcement of wearing a specific kind of hijab. “As soon as we arrive through the school gates, the teachers inspect us in an uncivilized manner. I do not understand the reason behind being so rude and checking on the type of hijab we are wearing. Isn’t it just a cloth that is supposed to cover hair? Why do we have to wear a specific type of hijab, regardless of whether it is comfortable or not? They do not care that we spend hours studying while feeling uncomfortable.

I think this does not align with the level of education. If a girl wears a type of hijab that she is accustomed to, what is the problem with that? Why are we forced to wear a type of veil that is impractical and may cause distractions during studying, in addition to forcing us to remove any accessories we wear, even under our clothes?” she asked.

While the intent behind this rule is to promote discipline and a sense of unity, it can also cause discomfort and hinder students’ ability to concentrate. Adhering to specific dress code requirements may prevent students from expressing their individuality and feeling comfortable in their own skin. Zainab added: “Once, I was wearing a light gold necklace and hiding it under my hijab. At that moment, the inspector came and took out the gold necklace from under my hijab. She took it away and made me sign a warning slip. I don’t understand what harm there is in that. I am a girl who wears a lightweight gold necklace and hides it under the hijab, so what is the problem with that?”

Poor infrastructure

Many schools in Kuwait suffer from poor infrastructure, including inadequate air conditioning systems, unclean restrooms and sometimes missing tables and chairs. “Ever since we came back to school this year, the air conditioning is not working. The weather is unbearable — I can hardly focus with my teacher, especially after the breaks when we go out under the sun and then come back to hot classrooms.

When I try to fold my sleeves and open my hijab to reduce the heat, I get yelled at from my teachers. It is so suffocating. I have tried to speak to the supervisor more than once about the air conditioning, but no solutions yet,” rued Awrad. Kuwait’s harsh weather conditions can create an extremely uncomfortable learning environment. The lack of proper cooling systems can hinder students’ ability to focus and contribute to feelings of fatigue, irritability and decreased academic performance.

On her part, AlKawther complained about a lack of hygiene: “Unfortunately, there is not enough attention given to cleanliness in the school in general, especially in the bathrooms. I cannot go to the bathroom because it is very dirty, in addition to doors that do not close. It is very disgusting, and I do not know why the situation is like this in schools. I avoid eating or drinking water the whole time so that I do not have to go to the bathroom,” she said.