A CALL has been made to fast-track work on dilapidated government schools so pupils can be returned to their classrooms as soon as possible.
MPs want to see an end of overcrowding on school sites that have taken in extra students on a temporary basis.
Hundreds of students have had to be placed across numerous schools around the country as the government carries out necessary renovation, remodelling and maintenance work on historic buildings.
“Moving hundreds of students to other schools means that they are overcrowded and that’s an issue that needs addressing,” Parliament public utilities and environment affairs committee chairman Khalid Bu Onk said at a public meeting.
“Students and parents still have the choice of in-person attendance or schooling online, but come September things may become much difficult.
“We didn’t want schools to be knocked down and rebuilt, we just want them to be maintained and kept in good shape, preserving their history and having students back there as soon as possible.”
The GDN reported in 2019 that two specialised consultancy firms had visited school buildings in the Muharraq, Capital and Northern governorates and recommended immediate evacuation.
Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister Essam Khalaf said eight historic schools have been given the green light by the Cabinet for immediate rehabilitation across the country – four alone in the Muharraq Governorate.
Amongst the historic schools are Mariam Bint Omran Primary School for Girls, Tariq Bin Ziyad Intermediate School for Boys, Abdulrahman Al Nasser Primary Intermediate School for Boys and Omar Bin Al Khattab Primary Intermediate School for Boys.
“We expect work to be complete at Mariam Bint Omran School by July this year, while we have received the initial go ahead from the Finance and National Economy Ministry for the three other schools in Muharraq,” said Mr Khalaf.
“A draft tender has been sent to the Education Ministry and the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (Baca) to conduct an immediate review before issuance.”
Also commenting on the matter, Parliament financial and economic affairs committee chairman, Ahmed Al Salloom, said the government needed time to start the work because of the age and historic importance of the educational sites.
“It would be easy to hire a crane and get the schools knocked down in a week, but the loss would be devastating,” he said.
“The government had to assess the work that needed to be done. It took time due to the complex structural nature of some of the buildings. Eventually the students who have been moved temporarily will return.
“Those schools are of high value – a value that is equal to the modern education students are now getting.”
The GDN previously reported that the Finance and National Economy Ministry had allocated BD3.5 million to provide mobile classrooms and accommodate the relocated students.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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