All private and public schools in Sitra will switch to remote learning from today until Thursday, after the Education Ministry received several reports of a nasty mysterious smell in the area.
The ministry said in a statement last night that it is co-operating and co-ordinating with the Supreme Council for Environment, who have begun inspecting schools for verification.
Ministry officials have instructed 15 public schools, two private schools and 12 kindergartens to switch to remote learning until the end of the week.
Meanwhile, Bapco Refining has issued a statement confirming that operations underway to deal with a leak in one of its oil tanks is in its final stages.
It stated that it is being dealt with in accordance with safety and security protocols and in co-operation with relevant authorities, and that the smell emitted may vary according to weather conditions and wind direction.
The company praised everyone working hard to control the incident which was a result of a ‘limited technical defect’ caused by heavy rains last week.
SCE monitoring and environment protection director Lama Al Mahroos said the decision to switch to remote learning will include the Sitra Secondary Girls School, Sitra Intermediate Girls School, Sitra Primary Girls School, Sitra Primary Boys School, Gharnata Primary Girls School, Al Qadisiyah Primary Girls School, Al Yarmook Primary Boys School, Awal Intermediate Boys School, Imam Ali Primary-Intermediate Boys School, Al Mondher bin Sawi Al Temimi Primary Boys School, Um Al Qura Primary-Intermediate Girls School, Nuwaiderat Primary Girls School, Al Jazeera Primary Boys School, Al Nabih Saleh Primary Girls School, Ibn Nafees Primary Boys School, Al Noor International School, Alia National School and the University of Applied Sciences.
The mystery pong that got up the noses of residents across the kingdom appears to still be wafting around and
causing annoyance.
The latest reports come from Manama complaining about the unpleasant smells.
“It’s a bit like a bad gas,” said one bemused British expatriate resident. “It was so bad last night it woke up my husband.”
A Bahraini neighbour added: “My nose is as sensitive as a brick so I can’t complain but, having said that, my housekeeper says she can smell it as well.”
Complaints have come from near and far with GDN social media followers reporting smelly issues in Muhharaq, Amwaj Islands, Hoora and Saar too in recent days.
Public Security Chief and National Committee for Civil Contingency Management chairman Lieutenant General Taraq Al Hasan chaired the panel’s third emergent meeting last night.
He affirmed the ongoing co-ordination with the competent authorities to resolve the problem of the smell spreading in many parts in the kingdom. He pointed out co-operation between Bapco, the Oil and Environment Ministry, the General Directorate of Civil Defence and other parties to handle the issue and safeguard people’s safety.
He conveyed the greetings and appreciation of Interior Minister and Civil Defence Council chairman General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa for the efforts to address the impact of the recent heavy rainfall in Bahrain. He was briefed about the operations carried out by the ministries and competent authorities during the rainfall and the hardships faced at that time.
Lt Gen Al Hasan directed to form a sub-committee to assess the impact of the
rainfall and submit recommendations to the Civil Defence Council.
rainfall and submit recommendations to the Civil Defence Council.
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