A total of 7,990 students with learning disabilities are being educated in government schools, it has emerged.
Education Minister Dr Mohammed Mubarak Juma told the Shura Council in writing that the ministry integrates students with learning disabilities, who can cope with the conventional educational system, in normal classrooms while having segregated rooms for treatment programmes.
He asserted that necessary manpower and finances were being allocated to ensure special students understand their subjects and gain insights as they progress in the 12 levels of education.
Dr Juma, who was responding to a question by Shura services committee chairwoman Dr Ibtisam Al Dallal on the general welfare of students with learning disabilities, said there were 176 teachers who have been trained to handle such pupils across the country.
“Specialised teachers in the field of learning disabilities assess each child and create tailor-made programmes that match their capabilities, strengths and weaknesses,” said Dr Juma.
“The teachers also develop treatment programmes for each child in the short, medium and long run,” he added.
“The focus is mainly on Arabic and mathematics in the foundation, primary and intermediate years.
“The learning disabilities rehabilitation programmes are done in segregated rooms and whenever the course is over, students are returned to the classes with their peers. They continue receiving rehabilitation in varying degrees until they are ready for educational independence.”
Dr Juma said secondary school students receive help from special committees comprised of educationalists and experts from the government bodies concerned.
“We have many successful stories of students with learning difficulties who have passed secondary school with high honours,” Dr Juma said.
“It is just a matter of showing them the right direction and ensuring their learning level matches that of their age group; it’s not an easy task, but our dedicated teams are determined and the results are here for all to see.”
He explained that training courses and workshops were also being held to guide parents on ways to deal with their children and encourage their physical and mental development. “We have started uploading electronic therapeutic educational materials, digital edutainment programmes and televised interactive lessons for those students on our portal as well as on YouTube,” said Dr Juma.
“It is not an outdated process and our 176 dedicated teachers at schools get intensive and extensive training for this purpose.
“We are trying to increase the number of teachers while a team is working on elevating learning difficulties programmes through a comprehensive strategy.”
More than 265,000 students enrolled in school, kindergarten and nursery in the 2023-2024 academic year across Bahrain. A total of 155,000 attend 209 government schools, 90,000 in 80 private schools, 17,000 in kindergartens and 4,000 children enrolled in nurseries.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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