70% Bahraini Teacher Quota Proposed in Bahrain

TDT | Manama                                                      

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Email: mail@newsobahrain.com

A proposed 70 per cent quota for Bahraini citizens in government universities’ teaching roles is up for debate in Parliament, as legislators push to expand ‘Bahrainisation’ and anchor local talent in academia.

If passed, the change would give Bahrainis a stronger voice in shaping future thinkers.

In a conversation with The Daily Tribune, MP Dr Muneer Seroor, who’s leading the push, said ‘Today, Bahrainis are leading in various fields, including niche areas like hydrogeology, so we must give them the chance to train the next generation of academics.’ He added, ‘Experience in many academic fields is shaped through teaching jobs.’ Seroor noted that he receives many job applications in education at his office and stressed that providing these chances builds self-assurance among national experts.

He remarked, ‘This proposal is not new; I submitted it to Parliament at the beginning of my term, and I was surprised that it has finally been brought up for discussion.’

Speaker Ahmed Al Musallam referred the proposal to the Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee in June, with MP Muneer Seroor leading the initiative. Seroor’s proposal aims to ensure that Bahraini graduates occupy leading roles in academia, supporting a vision to retain and invest in local talent.

The committee reviewed the proposal earlier in October, gathering input from legal adviser Dr Muhannad Al Tarawneh and the Civil Service Bureau. The bureau clarified that its hiring rules apply only to government-supported roles, with private university staff outside its jurisdiction. It also highlighted its approach to fair and open hiring practices within government roles, ensuring jobs are filled based on actual need. The bureau operates an internal announcement system allowing current civil servants to apply for higher positions, promoting equal opportunity and helping retain national talent. Additionally, the bureau prioritises internal candidates before publicly advertising vacancies, ensuring efficient use of available resources.

With full support from the committee, the proposal is expected to increase Bahraini representation in academia, strengthen Bahrain’s education sector, and advance the Kingdom’s vision of local empowerment.