Kuwait’s Ministry of Education has officially banned all forms of fundraising within schools, prohibiting collections from students, parents, or staff, and forbidding charity events without prior authorisation.

The decision, issued by Maryam Al Enezi, Assistant Undersecretary for Educational Development and Activities, comes as part of a wider move to ensure schools are not exploited for purposes beyond their educational mission.

A circular has been distributed to all public, private, religious, and special education schools across the country, stating: “It is strictly prohibited to collect charitable donations in any form within schools. Organising charity events or exhibitions that seek to collect cash or in-kind donations is also banned unless prior approval is obtained from the relevant authorities.”

Al Enezi emphasised that while charitable work remains a cornerstone of Kuwait’s national identity, “this phase requires regulating the mechanisms of charitable work in all institutions, including schools.”

She underscored the need to preserve the integrity of the learning environment and prevent its misuse for activities unrelated to education.

This directive follows a broader suspension of fundraising activities announced last month by the Ministry of Social Affairs, Family Affairs and Childhood. The move is in response to the discovery of unauthorised websites soliciting donations in violation of regulatory standards.

The nationwide suspension aims to protect the reputation of Kuwaiti charitable organisations, preserve its global standing in the humanitarian sector, safeguard donor funds from potential misuse and prevent abuse of digital platforms for unlicensed fundraising.

Charity societies and registered organisations have been instructed to immediately cease all donation collections through websites, social media, or private links until further notice. Regulatory bodies have warned that legal action will be taken against individuals or entities found violating these instructions.

The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to restructuring the donation process, introducing unified and transparent procedures to restore trust and ensure accountability in charitable activities.