FIRM action will be taken against private educational institutions found breaching safety, licensing and fee regulations, according to Education Minister Dr Mohammed Mubarak Juma.
He made the remark as Parliament yesterday unanimously approved a landmark 36-article bill to regulate private educational institutions – replacing the long-standing 1998 law.
MPs spent around six hours on the topic.
The new framework introduces updated standards for licensing, management, financial transparency and accountability, along with incentives for high-performing institutions.
Speaking during the chamber’s weekly session, the minister presented footage documenting violations discovered by inspectors in private schools, nurseries, kindergartens and educational centres.
The breaches involved using school facilities for illegal purposes, inadequate fire safety precautions such as expired extinguishers, lack of security guards, and unapproved cafeterias containing hazardous equipment.
In one case, a nursery was found with a secret door leading into an unlicensed workers’ accommodation area, while another had a guard’s room used for storing dangerous materials.
“These are serious breaches that endanger the safety and well-being of our children,” said Dr Juma.
“We are determined to enforce full compliance and ensure that every educational institution in Bahrain meets the highest standards of safety, integrity and quality.”
He said that his ministry’s inspection committees now submit daily reports covering violations, compliance reviews and the enforcement of corrective measures.
He acknowledged that while penalties exist under current regulations, they are insufficient to deter repeated or serious offences.
“The new law introduces stronger measures that will allow us to act decisively against offenders.”
Under the proposed legislation, penalties would range from written warnings and public disclosure of violations – at the institution’s expense – to suspension of services, dismissal of staff or fines of up to BD100,000.
In extreme cases, schools could face licence suspension, ministry administration for up to six months, or full licence revocation for severe or repeated breaches.
Dr Juma stressed that no private school, nursery, kindergarten or educational centre will be permitted to alter tuition fees or introduce new charges without prior approval.
“The issue of school fees is one of the most sensitive for families,” he said.
“We have rejected many fee increase requests because they were not justified by tangible educational improvements. Any proposed increase must be backed by clear evidence – such as upgraded facilities, new curricula or academic programmes – and will be thoroughly reviewed before approval.
“Also, there is a case in which a school was charging BD400 to BD500 for stationery and we stopped them.”
He also confirmed that the ministry will continue to closely monitor curricula to ensure alignment with Bahrain’s cultural values, traditions and Islamic principles.
“We will not tolerate materials or activities that contradict our national identity or moral values,” he said.
The ministry’s ultimate goal was to safeguard both educational quality and public trust.
“Our priority is the safety, well-being and proper education of every child,” he said.
“We are not against private education; we support it when it meets standards and contributes positively to society. But when violations occur, action must be swift and firm.”
MP Dr Abdulhakim Al Sheno presented a receipt to the minister showing that one school had charged parents VAT despite education being exempt.
Dr Juma said that the case would be investigated, noting the possibility that the charge may have stemmed from a third-party service associated with the school.
He also highlighted the ministry’s efforts to improve quality and competitiveness in the sector, noting that five private schools were now participating in a Microsoft partnership programme, compared with just one the previous year.
The new law, currently referred to the Shura Council, once ratified, will require all existing private educational institutions to regularise their status within given deadlines.
* Meanwhile, a draft amendment to the 2005 Education Law, which seeks to give parents more flexibility in enrolling their children in the first grade in the same year they turn six, has been postponed for two weeks at the minister’s request to allow further review.
Currently, the law restricts the enrolment of children who have already turned six at the start of the school year.
The new law would allow students who turn six at any time during the same calendar year – up to December 31 – to begin their basic education.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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