Education Minister Explains Early School Start to Address Initial Hiccups and Ease Parent Costs

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com   

Report by Mohammed Darwish

Education Minister Mohammed bin Mubarak Juma has explained why schools will open on Wednesday, 4 September, instead of Sunday, 8 September. He noted that this adjustment allows the ministry to address the teething troubles that often arise during the first days of the academic year. “By starting the school year two days before the weekend (Friday and Saturday), the ministry can use that time to resolve any issues, such as delayed buses or malfunctioning air conditioning,” he said.

“This approach,” he added, “is particularly important, given the ministry’s responsibility for more than 210 government schools and approximately 135,000 students.”

The minister also discussed efforts to ease the financial burden on parents as the school year begins. He mentioned that the ministry has been in contact with retailers, urging them to keep the prices of school supplies affordable. Schools have also been instructed to reduce the number of stationery and supply requests to avoid increasing parents' expenses.

Mr Juma stressed that collaboration between the public and private sectors is essential to ensuring that education remains accessible. When shopkeepers work to keep prices low, the entire community benefits.

He added that the Ministry of Education will continue to build long-term partnerships with businesses that support these efforts, ensuring that parents can find what they need at prices that do not strain their finances.