Five new schools, major revamp planned for public education

TDT | Manama

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Education Minister Dr Mohammed bin Mubarak Juma has announced plans to build five new schools and four academic buildings as part of the upcoming budget. Additionally, 80 public schools will undergo major upgrades, including renovations, deep cleaning, and new furniture to enhance learning environments.

The ministry is also advancing efforts to introduce the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme in public schools, with an IB Organisation delegation set to visit Bahrain in April. The programme aims to provide Bahraini students with an internationally recognised academic pathway.

To strengthen the teaching workforce, 600 Bahrain Teachers’ College graduates will be recruited across 2025 and 2026. Meanwhile, a new cohort will begin a four-year degree in education, ensuring a steady pipeline of trained teachers for public schools.

Infrastructure planning is being coordinated with Housing and Urban Planning to integrate schools into new residential areas and meet population growth demands.

Curriculum updates are also in progress, with improvements in English, Arabic, maths, and science. Question banks will be expanded to help students prepare for exams, and the ministry is working with Bahraini and international experts to refine teaching methods. Quranic studies will be strengthened, and a new subject on Bahraini folk culture will be introduced in 2025, covering the nation’s customs and traditions.

Bahrain continues to participate in global academic assessments, including TIMSS (maths and science for Years 4 and 8) and PIRLS (reading for Year 4), to evaluate curriculum effectiveness.

For students with disabilities, 13 additional classrooms will be added, and the ministry is working with an American university to implement improved assessment methods for students with special needs and autism, aiming to enhance their learning experience.

Dr Juma described the IB programme as one of the ministry’s most ambitious initiatives, with further discussions planned during the April visit to Bahrain’s secondary and intermediate schools.