A proposal to increase the height of the fence at Bahrain’s oldest school in Muharraq has been rejected by the Cabinet.
It was presented by Muharraq Municipal Council chairman Abdulaziz Al Naar, who believes that a taller fence at Al Hedaya Al Khalifa Secondary Boys School would prevent students from leaving the premises during school hours.
The Cabinet, however, shot down the proposal and instead supported Education Minister Dr Mohammed Mubarak Juma who suggested improving student awareness and engagement as a long-term solution to the problem.
The decision, which is final and cannot be opened until 2026 when new councillors are elected, highlights differing perspectives among officials on balancing student safety with fostering a positive school environment.
While Mr Al Naar strongly advocated for the move citing safety concerns, Dr Juma countered that the issue was less about fences and more about cultivating a responsible and disciplined student culture.
In his argument to the Cabinet, Dr Juma emphasised that education should not feel like imprisonment.
“We must create an environment where students feel trusted and empowered, and not confined like prisoners,” said Dr Juma.
“The focus should be on building a culture of awareness and responsibility among children rather than relying solely on physical barriers to enforce discipline.”
The minister expressed concerns that raising the fence would send a wrong message to students and negatively impact their sense of belonging and self-discipline.
“This is a matter of trust and education,” he added.
“Students need to understand the importance of staying within school premises, not because they are physically unable to leave, but because they recognise the value of discipline and the risks of venturing out.”
Mr Al Naar, however, defended his proposal, insisting that safety must come first. He also highlighted incidents of students jumping over the fence to access nearby cold stores, restaurants and cafeterias before returning to the school premises.
“This is not about restricting freedom, it’s about protecting our children,” said Mr Al Naar.
“The height of the fence is such that students can easily jump over it, unsupervised, which puts them at risk,” he added.
“We cannot ignore the potential dangers just to make a philosophical point about culture.”
He added that increasing the fence height would act as a deterrent, reducing the likelihood of students skipping classes or exposing themselves to unsafe situations outside school grounds.
The Cabinet’s decision has sparked mixed reactions from community members and parents. Some agree with Dr Juma’s emphasis on fostering a positive school culture while others share Mr Al Naar’s concerns about immediate safety risks.
“I understand the minister’s perspective, but as a parent, I feel more secure knowing there are physical barriers in place to prevent my child from leaving school grounds,” said area councillor Dalal Al Meghawi.
“With the Cabinet ruling out the proposal for higher fences, let’s hope no students get seriously injured or killed by a speeding vehicle. The focus now shifts to implementing alternative measures to address the underlying issues,” she added.
“We call for a collaborative approach to address safety concerns and the ministry must explore additional safeguards that balance safety with a nurturing educational environment.
“The Cabinet may have ruled against this proposal, but we must continue working together to ensure our students’ safety and well-being.”
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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