55 countries back Kingdom’s push for modernised education and youth job initiatives

TDT | Manama

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Bahrain’s ambitious bid to overhaul education and curb youth unemployment received overwhelming backing at the International Conference of Young Parliamentarians, where 55 nations rallied to the cause.

Spearheaded by MP Abdullah Al Rumaihi, the Kingdom’s proposal aims to modernise education systems and align curricula with today’s job market realities, and tackling a pressing global challenge of rising youth joblessness.

The proposal stood out during the conference’s fifth session, gaining considerable attention from representatives of 55 nations.

As session chair, MP Al Rumaihi emphasised the urgent need to integrate digital tools into education, especially in regions grappling with high youth unemployment.

He linked the global shortage of skilled workers to outdated education systems and pointed to Bahrain’s own reform efforts, including initiatives led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, such as the King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa Prize for the Use of ICT in Education, established with UNESCO in 2005.

Global drop

MP Al Rumaihi cited International Labour Organization (ILO) data, which showed a global drop in youth unemployment to 13% in 2023, driven by post-pandemic recovery.

However, he cautioned that the decline was uneven, with East Asia seeing a 4.3% increase and youth unemployment rising in the Arab world, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific by 1%.

He warned that rapid technological advancements are outpacing education systems, leaving many young people unprepared for the skills employers require.

The lawmaker urged for sweeping reforms to address the skilled labour shortage and boost economic growth.

Parliamentary reviews

Shura Council member Ali Al Shehabi proposed annual parliamentary reviews of education and employment progress.

He called for nations to share successful legislation and collaborate on strategies for training and job creation, closing the gap between school curricula and workforce needs.

Al Shehabi also suggested regular reviews of national education systems, ongoing professional development for teachers, and expanded exchange programmes for students and educators to better equip them for the global job market.