With one of the largest relative youth cohorts in the Gulf – the share of the population under 35 stood at 50% as of 2022 – Kuwait has a vested interest in achieving positive learning and health outcomes for nationals and foreign residents alike. As was the case around the world, the Covid-19 pandemic posed specific and immediate challenges for educators and medical workers in the country, which the government is working to address in parallel with ongoing efforts to achieve the development targets set by New Kuwait 2035, the long-term development roadmap launched in 2017. The so-called education gap experienced after many young students were forced to adjust to online learning virtually overnight is a particular concern for policymakers, and a mix of in-person and online solutions are being explored to help learners catch up.
This chapter contains an interview with Thamer Arab, CEO, Dhaman.