The delightful sounds of young children playing, learning and joyfully interacting once again could be heard across the nation as nurseries and kindergartens reopened their doors yesterday.
Pupils were welcomed back to classrooms for the first time in weeks – with many parents turning up confidently for the optional return to in-person learning.
The move follows an operational update issued by the Education Ministry at introducing greater flexibility in delivering educational services while maintaining the precautionary framework adopted in recent weeks.
Under the update, early childhood institutions resumed in-person services from yesterday, allowing parents to decide whether to send their children back or keep them at home. The decision also applies to government and private schools that cater to students with special needs, while the rest of the student population across Bahrain continues with distance learning until further notice.
At several nurseries and kindergartens yesterday morning, the atmosphere was upbeat. Parents who brought their children said they were comfortable with the return, expressing confidence in the safety measures in place and the importance of restoring routine, interaction and structured learning at this critical stage of child development.
Many pointed to the social and emotional benefits for young minds, the challenge of maintaining meaningful engagement for toddlers at home, and work commitments that make supervision difficult.
Teachers welcomed pupils back with familiar songs, activities and bright classroom settings designed to ease them back into daily routines.
A smaller number of parents chose to wait, preferring to monitor the situation for a few more days due to safety concerns linked to ongoing regional tensions and personal circumstances at home.
Education Minister Dr Mohammed Mubarak Juma said the move was carefully designed to balance precaution with flexibility.
“This update to the operational procedures of educational institutions achieves significant flexibility in benefiting from services related to special education and early childhood education, while providing better options for parents,” he said.
He stressed that the ministry remains committed to safeguarding students while ensuring that essential educational services continue without interruption.
The minister also noted that private schools offering international curricula have been allowed to conduct assessment processes linked to international certifications through a flexible programme agreed with awarding institutions abroad, ensuring students’ academic progress remains on target.
Dr Juma praised the commitment shown by government and private schools in maintaining assessment and learning through digital platforms during the precautionary period, and highlighted the adoption of what is known internationally as the ‘no exam route’ in co-ordination with global examination bodies.
Despite the partial return to campuses, distance learning remains in place for all other students across government and private schools and educational institutions until further notice.
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