MPs have renewed their call for the government to expedite the establishment of a Bahrain University (UoB) campus in the Muharraq Governorate.
Five MPs, led by Mohammed Al Olaiwi, stressed that establishing a Bahrain University branch in Muharraq is not only an educational necessity, but also a long-standing wish of the people living in the governorate.
Mr Al Olaiwi explained that students from Muharraq face significant difficulties travelling daily to the university’s campus in Sakhir, particularly after the suspension of the official university transportation service.
“The residents of Muharraq have been waiting for this project for years,” Mr Al Olaiwi said.
“It represents a dream for our youth and families who see higher education as their path to a better future. But for many, that dream is becoming harder to reach.”
The MPs highlighted that many students lack access to private vehicles and that their families cannot afford to buy them cars to facilitate daily travel to and from Sakhir.
The long journey, often exceeding an hour each way, has become a major obstacle for many students pursuing higher education.
“We have students who spend several hours a day just getting to and from class,” Mr Al Olaiwi explained. “This long commute is exhausting, especially for those without their own transportation. The cancellation of the university bus service made the situation even more difficult.”
Mr Al Olaiwi emphasised that the establishment of a new campus in Muharraq would ease the burden on thousands of families and expand access to higher education across the kingdom. He noted that the project would decentralise educational opportunities and reduce congestion at the main Sakhir campus.
“Building the Muharraq campus would bring education closer to the people,” he said. “It will serve students from Muharraq, Hidd and nearby areas, saving them time, effort and financial strain. This project reflects the government’s commitment to equitable education for all.”
The matter was put yesterday on the table of an extraordinary meeting of the Muharraq Municipal Council.
Mr Al Olaiwi and his colleagues also voiced concern about the rising tuition fees at the university, which have placed additional financial burdens on low- and middle-income families.
The MPs said they have received numerous complaints from struggling families.
“I have personally heard from many parents who had to stop their children’s education because they simply couldn’t pay the fees,” Mr Al Olaiwi said. “Education should not be a privilege reserved for those who can afford it – it is a right for every Bahraini.”
The MPs urged Education Minister and university board of trustees chairman Dr Mohammed Mubarak Juma to review tuition policies and offer fee reductions or financial support for families in need, especially for students who show academic promise but face financial hardship.
“We must not allow financial difficulty to stand between our youth and their education,” Mr Al Olaiwi added.
“I call on the ministry to reconsider the current fee system and grant discounts or exemptions to families who are unable to pay. No student should be deprived of their education because of financial constraints.”
Mr Al Olaiwi reaffirmed his support for His Majesty King Hamad’s vision to strengthen national education infrastructure and ensure that every Bahraini child can pursue their ambitions without financial or logistical barriers.
“Investing in education is investing in our nation’s future,” he said. “We must act quickly to make that vision a reality – by reducing fees for those in need and bringing the Bahrain University closer to the people of Muharraq.”
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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