There is no doubt that Bahrain’s private schools have made a lot of effort to improve the quality of education. This has contributed significantly to raising the level of education since schools are not only capable, but also have good budgets and the latest available aids.
While enrolment in these private schools was initially limited to a certain class of Bahraini society because of their very high fees, the situation now is vastly different. Many companies, banks and other private sector institutions are now including the cost of children’s education in employees’ remuneration packages.
This means students of private schools are now vastly different to what they used to be. What this means is that there is more social cohesion. Children have become a team of friends and are keen to communicate after school hours. This, in the end, has led to a lot of positivity between Bahraini families.
These days, however, all of these private schools are organising graduation ceremonies for their students. These ceremonies are occasions for students and their families to celebrate together and save beautiful memories for children and parents.
However on the other hand, there is a kind of competition between the private schools, who charge a very large sum of money for their children to be part of the event.
While the rates for different schools vary, it still is a very large sum, even for those who are relatively well off.
There have been cases where children have been deprived the joy of attending these events – simply because their parents find the costs exorbitant.
I do not blame these families since they are already facing a huge burden in terms of fees and other expenses.
The question here is – why are these fees so high?
If the school administrations want to show off, they should do so from within the huge sums they charge anyway. There is no justification to pay extra to organise exaggerated celebrations.
There is also no need to organise these celebrations in hotels when schools could use their own beautiful campuses for the ceremony.
I am also surprised why the Education Ministry does not intervene. I believe the ministry should have a say and their word should be considered by the school administrations. This would be in the interest of both schools and parents.
We do not want parents to not attend these ceremonies and deprive their children of those beautiful and happy moments.
I know that it is a beautiful feeling to be part of such an event. It remains etched in the memory for a very long time.
I remember very well my own graduation in the UK when I received my Master’s degree. It was in 2002 and I remember every moment of the ceremony, during which more than 2,000 students graduated. That is the moment when the student forgets all difficulties and suffering.
I also distinctly remember very well that the university did not ask us amounts like those required today at our schools !