Financial support for Bahraini students soon

A law to financially support Bahraini students who are incapable of continuing their higher studies is in its final stages, it was announced yesterday.

The “Students Scholarships Support Fund” law proposal has been approved by both sides of the legislative authority (Shura and Parliament councils).

The proposal was initially submitted in December by Parliament First Deputy Chairman Ali Al Aradi and MPs Ghazi Al Rahma, Jalal Kadhem, Hamad Al Dossary and Mohsen Al Bakry.

They said that it would help setting a national strategy to eliminate illiteracy in Bahrain.

The law stipulates that the new body should be funded by the State’s budget, charity and the incomes from investing the funds of the authority.

The MPs said the fund would benefit all Bahraini students who are unable to continue their higher studies due to financial difficulties.

“Every Bahraini student who wish to continue his/her higher studies in accredited local universities or abroad should benefit from the services of the fund,” the MPs stressed.

The law mentions that “the Students Scholarships Support Fund board members should consist of Education Ministry’s Undersecretary as the Chairperson, and representatives of Labour and Social Development Ministry, Industry, Commerce and Tourism Ministry, Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Ministry, University of Bahrain (UoB) and other accredited universities in the Kingdom as board members.”

The law has been referred to the Government for amendment and approval.