ABSTRACT This study investigates the impact of external power holders’ interference as a form of corruption in the educational system of Kuwait, as well as systems that could be established within the Ministry of Education (MoE) to prevent pressure and interference by power holders. The term Wasta, ‘the abuse of public office for private gain’ is deeply rooted in the conscience of most Kuwaitis. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with educational leaders, and after analysis of the data, two main themes emerged, namely: (1) External interventions and the use of Wasta, and (2) Solutions proposed by the participants to improve systems within the MoE to protect educational leaders and prevent external pressure and interference from individuals or groups. Taken together, these themes constitute the main findings of this research. This study is significant because it is the first time educational leaders with experience in the day-to-day workings of Kuwait’s educational system have validated the prevalence of Wasta and its negative effects on educational outcomes. The study recommends that further research should be conducted on higher education institutions and private schools, and international implications have been reported.