Parent's Review of Kuwait National English School in Hawalli
What is the name of your child's school? (Please report on one school per survey.)
Kuwait National English School
In what town or city is this school located?
Hawalli
How would you describe this school? (i.e. American, British, International, Local, etc.)
Supposed to be British
What grade levels are represented at this school?
KG - Y12
How do most children get to school everyday? (bus, train, walk, etc.)
Most dropped by drivers/on school bus
How would you describe the facilities at this school? What extra-curricular activities are available?
The crumbling building is in need of demolition. The rooms are in a poor state of repair. There is no heating in winter - and children are in their coats and gloves in the classroom. The toilets are broken, do not flush and no soap/paper towels provided.
Extra curricular activities are miserable and delivered by teachers forced to do them.
What has this school done to help your child transition from the curriculum in your home country into the curriculum in your new country? Are there programs to prepare your child for repatriation?
No program for repatriation.
After 1 year in this school, my 2 children who were in Years 1 and 3, had fallen way behind what they were supposed to be learning and upon re-entry into school in the UK had to attend support classes to catch up on basics that had not been taught. Many teachers are not qualified to teach their subject / not teachers at all. Very few native English qualified teachers.
School exam results are very poor, with a D grade at IGCSE considered good!
How would you describe the social activities available for parents through this school? Are there parent-teacher organizations?
There is a terrible problem with discipline in the school. During the year there were incidents where secondary students were sexually abusing primary students in the bathrooms - but this was all kept quiet and not dealt with. Parents are not informed about issues.
There are students with special needs in a separate section in the school who are discriminated against and not allowed to access resources, events and facilities like regular students.
Attendance is poor in the days before and after holidays and there were only about 20 children (less than 10%) in the primary school in the days before the summer holidays- who all get grouped together and no teaching done.
Social events all seem to be scam to get money - with dangerous rides being offered at extortionate prices and gangs of children running around unsupervised causing trouble.
What advice would you give to someone considering enrolling their child in this school?
Don't do it. A waste of money and your child's education will be badly affected. They are not up to date with the England & wales curriculum and initiatives. The style of teaching is Victorian! My children used to cry to not go to school and hated the place. The worst year of their education ever!
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Comments about this Report
guestWell said. This school is only fit for Kuwaiti children- mass produced in massive families that exert no discipline at home. Rude, entitled, violent, aggressive. I would be terrified to send my child here.
