Director-General of Schools Affairs and Chairman of the Education Undersecretaries’ Committee at the Education Ministry, Dr. Mohammed Mubarak bin Ahmed, has asserted that education is an essential pillar for the progress of societies.
He indicated that the provision of an advanced educational system is among the priorities set by the government to achieve His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s directives to enrich the educational process and continue to improve its output, as well as those of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, in this regard.
The statements were made during the press conference held by Dr. Mohammed Mubarak, and Undersecretary for Policies, Strategies and Performance, Nawal Ibrahim Al-Khater, to shed light on the Education Ministry’s preparations for the new school year.
The Schools Affairs Director-General lauded the directives of HM the King and HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister to hold an induction day for parents at various schools on September 4-6, and present them with portfolios including the necessary information about the new school year, in addition to a voucher to purchase school stationary and supplies.
He indicated that a total of 147,000 students in public schools and more than 84,000 in private ones will return to schools, noting that there 250 early education institutions, 210 government schools and 79 private ones in Bahrain.
He added that as many as 3,176 employees at various educational institutions have been promoted, which confirms the Education Ministry’s interest in ensuring the professional development of its cadres.
He also unveiled that 274 graduates from the Bahrain Teachers College have been recruited, and will join their schools in September 1, noting that they will contribute to enriching the educational process in the kingdom.
Regarding school activities, Dr. Mohammed Mubarak bin Ahmed said that a variety of extra-curricular events and programmes will be held, including the “Nasser bin Hamad Football Championship for Secondary Schools”, partonised by HM the King’s Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and the Bahrain Schools’ Chess Championship, patronised by the First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sport, General Sports Authority Chairman and Bahrain Olympic President, HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
Then, Nawal Ibrahim Al-Khater, spoke about the logistical preparations. She said that preparations are in full swing to ensure the smooth return to schools.
She added that the Al-Ezdihar Primary Girls School, with a capacity of more than 1,100 students, will be opened for the first time, noting that the Manama Secondary Girls School will be re-opened after the completion of the maintenance work there, and the operational plans of the Al-Manhal Primary Boys School and the Bilad Al-Qadeem Primary Boys Schools will be changed.
The undersecretary also indicated that the comprehensive maintenance work had been carried out in 40 schools, and that 160 government schools had been partially maintained.
Regarding school books, she told the press conference that more than two million books had been printed, and that digital copies of school books were made available on the Education Ministry’s website for those wishing to use them.
Concerning the transportation services, Al-Khater stated that more 700 school buses are ready to transport more 41,000 students all over the kingdom for free, adding that the Ministry has prepared special buses to transport students with special needs and those with Down syndrome.
She added that the Education Ministry is coordinating with 18 specialised companies to clean schools.
The undersecretary also unveiled that the Ministry had developed the services of the Educational Portal and other digital services.
She also highlighted the Education Ministry’s keenness to develop early education in order to improve its quality and outcomes.
Source: Bahrain News Agency