Bahrain's Private Education Sector Flourishes with 287 Institutions in 2023

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com   

Bahrain's private education sector continues to thrive, with a total of 287 non-governmental educational institutions operating across the country in 2023. This includes private schools, kindergartens, and nurseries.

According to the latest statistics released by the Ministry of Education, there were 76 private schools in the four governorates: 24 in the Northern Governorate, 23 in the Capital Governorate, 19 in the Southern Governorate, and 10 in Muharraq Governorate.

The number of kindergartens in Bahrain reached 147 in 2023, with 57 in the Northern Governorate, 40 in the Capital Governorate, 26 in the Southern Governorate, and 24 in Muharraq Governorate.

Nurseries totaled 64, with 24 in the Northern Governorate, 18 in the Capital Governorate, 12 in Muharraq Governorate, and 10 in the Southern Governorate.

Bahrain is home to some of the oldest private educational institutions in the region, highlighting its pioneering role in developing formal education. In recent years, Bahrain has become a regional leader in privatising the education sector, encouraging private investment in educational services. Today, private institutions contribute half of the total value added in education, equaling the value of public education.

The private education sector in Bahrain also provides significant job opportunities for Bahraini citizens, playing a crucial role in increasing the number of skilled graduates.

Private education services contributed 2.5% to Bahrain's real GDP in 2021, with a total value added of 315 million Bahraini dinars. The total value added of the sector saw a growth of 0.5% in 2021. The private education sector employs 3% of the total private sector workforce in Bahrain and boasts one of the highest Bahrainization rates in the Kingdom.

The influx of investment in education in the Kingdom of Bahrain is a unique and exemplary model of successful public-private partnership. This collaboration aims to provide diverse educational opportunities based on quality, innovation, and sustainability, achieving the goals of comprehensive development.