Kuwait Adds Drugs and Crime as Compulsory School Subject

Kuwait is set to break new ground in education by introducing a mandatory school subject focused on drugs and crime, becoming the first Arab country to do so.

The new subject will be taught at the intermediate, or middle school, level starting next academic year, following approval from the Ministry of Education.

What Students Will Learn

The curriculum goes beyond drug awareness. According to Al Qabas, the subject will also cover crimes such as violence, theft, bullying, cybercrime, traffic violations, and sexual offences.

Mohammed Al Duaij, head of the committee behind Kuwait’s new anti-drugs law, said the goal is simple: give students real-life knowledge before they face real-life risks.

Why Kuwait Is Doing This Now

Al Duaij said many teenagers know these actions are wrong but don’t fully understand the consequences. The subject aims to fill that gap early, before curiosity or peer pressure takes over.

He added that modern family life has changed, with many parents busy at work, relying on digital devices or domestic help, and finding it harder to guide their children through difficult topics.

A Practical, Not Preachy, Approach

Unlike traditional warning campaigns, the new subject is designed to be hands-on. Students will learn how to say no to drugs without losing friends, deal with peer pressure, exit risky situations, and seek help safely and without fear.

The curriculum also aims to challenge false ideas that make crime look “cool” or clever, highlighting the real outcomes instead — addiction, prison, broken families, and mental health struggles.

Setting a Regional First

Al Duaij called on private schools to adopt similar programs, saying the move could help curb juvenile crime in the long run.

While countries like France, the UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, and Japan already teach drug awareness in schools, Kuwait’s step places it at the forefront of preventive education in the Arab world.