EDUCATIONAL institutions in Bahrain have been suspended for an additional two weeks as part of measures to limit the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19).
However, the Education Ministry said administrative staff and teachers in private and government schools, as well as higher education institutions and kindergartens, would be allowed to return to work on Sunday.
“This has been done so that schools can achieve their goals for the academic year and reduce the effects of temporary disruption of teaching in educational institutions,” said a ministry statement.
“Based on directives from the co-ordination committee chaired by the Crown Prince, it was decided to extend the period of suspension of studies in government and private schools, government and private higher education institutions and kindergartens for an additional two weeks until March 29,” it added.
The ministry said the measure was taken to ensure the safety of students in light of the precautions Bahrain is taking to limit the spread of Covid-19.
Classes at the educational institutions were initially suspended for 14 days from February 25.
Several private schools have resorted to e-learning platforms to continue teaching students remotely during the last two weeks.
The ministry had uploaded the ‘Exceptional Leave Lessons’ on its website, with instructions for parents to follow between February 25 and March 10 for all levels of education in subjects such as Arabic, English, science, citizenship, social studies and maths.
However, Bahraini parents expressed frustration over the lack of a clear educational plan for the specified period, with some struggling to teach their children at home.
Some of them told the GDN it has been difficult to access the ministry’s ‘Educational Portal’ due to high pressure on the system, while others called for a unified virtual learning plan.
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