A proposal to give priority to qualified Bahrainis in teaching, training and administrative positions in private schools and training schools has been put on hold in the Shura Council.
The proposed amendment to the 1998 Private Educational and Training Institutions Law was approved by Parliament last month.
During yesterday’s weekly session, Shura Council Chairman Ali Saleh Al Saleh asked for a vote after Parliament and Shura Council Affairs Minister Ghanim Al Buainain expressed concerns over enforceability and practical implications.
Nineteen members voted to put the proposal on hold, 10 wanted it moved forward and others abstained.
The chamber’s services committee chairwoman Dr Jameela Al Salman said the proposal was consistent with Bahrain’s legislative goals and labour market needs.
“The legislation allows sufficient flexibility for the executive authority to determine hiring percentages while ensuring sustainability and continuity,” she added.
“Prioritising the employment of Bahrainis is a national duty. This law contributes to strengthening national identity, as Bahraini teachers are uniquely positioned to impart social values and instil patriotism in students. It also supports national efforts to enact laws that empower government initiatives aimed at achieving Bahrain’s ambitious economic vision.”
Several members supported the proposed legislation, stressing its alignment with constitutional provisions and national employment strategies.
Legislative and legal affairs committee chairwoman Dalal Al Zayed described the bill as ‘directive’ to affirm the priority of employment for Bahrainis.
“It aligns with the Constitution, the government’s employment policy and its work programme,” she said.
However, she noted a lack of enforceable penalties for non-compliance, cautioning that the law’s impact may be limited to oversight mechanisms.
Raising concerns about structural gaps in the teacher training pipeline, she said, “We need to address the challenges facing university graduates, including integrating educational diplomas and improving field training. Graduates must also be proficient in English to qualify for certain specialisations, which requires targeted training programmes.”
Ms Al Zayed highlighted the scale of the sector, noting that Bahrain has around 80 private schools, offering significant employment opportunities.
“We commend Tamkeen’s role in supporting Bahrainisation by subsidising wages and promoting professional development. We also appreciate the Education Ministry’s co-ordination efforts, which are crucial to increasing Bahraini employment in the sector.”
Member Dr Ali Al Haddad said the proposal deserved ‘full support’.
“Mandating private educational institutions to employ Bahrainis makes the citizen the natural and optimal choice,” he stated.
He cited Saudi Arabia’s similar policy of localising jobs in private schools as a regional precedent aimed at creating decent employment opportunities and conducive work environments for nationals.
Member Ejlal Bubshait argued that teaching was a noble profession integral to nation-building.
“Certain subjects like social studies, citizenship and history have unique cultural relevance. These subjects should be taught by Bahraini teachers who can instil national identity and cultural values. The law serves the dual purpose of building future generations and creating job opportunities for Bahrainis in the private sector.”
Dr Ibtisam Al Dallal described the bill as an ‘important step’ towards increasing Bahraini employment while allowing institutions the flexibility to select the most qualified candidates to maintain educational quality.
“Employing Bahrainis enhances national identity and preserves cultural heritage, ensuring the educational process reflects Bahrain’s social and cultural context.”
She also pointed out practical challenges deterring private schools from hiring Bahrainis.
“There’s concern that Bahrainis may prefer public sector jobs or resign mid-academic year, leaving schools scrambling to find replacements. We need to address this by amending the labour law to extend the notice period to four months, which would resolve hiring issues and position Bahrainis as the preferred choice.”
Shura Council first vice-chairman Jamal Fakhro questioned the necessity of the bill in its current form.
“The Constitution and government policies already prioritise Bahraini employment. This law won’t change anything without political will from both private and public stakeholders,” he said.
Reflecting on Bahrain’s educational history, he noted that many teachers in the 1980s lacked formal education degrees but were later sent abroad to earn qualifications.
“It wasn’t laws that made this happen – it was political and educational will. Similarly, prioritising Bahrainis in private school hiring can be achieved through commitment rather than legislation.”
Member Ali Al Aradi criticised the absence of a binding clause in the bill.
“The legislation doesn’t compel private schools to prioritise Bahrainis; it simply expresses an aspiration. Without penalties for non-compliance, the law is symbolic at best,” he warned.
He proposed amending the bill to include a mandatory clause aligning with Parliament’s goals.
“The Education and Labour ministries and Tamkeen all confirmed that the bill’s objectives are already being achieved. Private schools also affirmed their commitment to employing Bahrainis under current policies,” Mr Al Aradi added.
Member Abdulla Al Nuaimi insisted that any structural or training challenges faced by private schools should be resolved by the Education Ministry.
“We must make it a condition that teachers in private schools are Bahrainis to address any shortcomings in employment policies,” he said.
Education Minister Dr Mohammed Mubarak Juma acknowledged the proposal’s intentions but pointed out structural differences between recruitment in public and private schools.
“In public schools, hiring is managed directly by the ministry. In private schools, recruitment is handled independently by the institutions, with the ministry ensuring compliance with qualification requirements,” he explained.
He highlighted ongoing efforts to facilitate the hiring of Bahraini educators by providing private schools with CVs of qualified nationals.
“We’re supplying private schools with databases of qualified Bahrainis, and the Bahraini workforce is highly trusted by educational institutions.”
He also announced plans for new legislation to better regulate licensing and employment procedures in private education.
Legal Affairs and Acting Labour Minister Yousif Khalaf similarly argued that the proposal’s goals were largely being met.
“The percentage of Bahraini trainers in private training centres reached 93.12 per cent last year, up from 50.61pc in 2020 and more than 80pc in 2023,” he noted.
“There’s a clear government commitment to prioritising Bahraini employment, with 2,500 to 3,000 Bahrainis being hired annually.”
Tamkeen’s chief executive Maha Mofeez said that the fund’s programmes already fulfil the law’s objectives.
“Our mandate is to enhance the competitiveness of the national workforce and ensure Bahrainis are employers’ top choice,” she said.
“We’ve launched multiple training and qualification programmes for Bahrainis and private sector institutions to boost skills and employability.”
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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