A group of MPs has called on the government to revamp its scholarship programmes to enhance financial assistance and ensure employment guarantees for recipients.
The Strategic Thinking Bloc in Parliament, led by financial and economic affairs committee chairman Ahmed Al Salloom, suggested that the old system, under which outstanding students were automatically guaranteed civil service jobs upon graduation, could be reintroduced ... with suitable modifications.
The contract system was scrapped more than a decade ago after complaints that graduates were forced to work in the government, despite wanting to pursue careers in the private sector as owners of their own enterprises and businesses, or as employees.
The bloc is now seeking to reinstate key features of the system by providing job assurances for scholarship holders – without the mandatory long-term contract.
“The guaranteed job system was also cancelled as the government cannot hold a vacancy for four years until the scholarship beneficiaries graduate,” said Mr Al Salloom. “But there should be proper planning, if a job is going to be needed in 2030, it should be planned for from now.”
The bloc is demanding that the government sign agreements with students before sending them abroad, assuring them of employment opportunities upon their return.
Mr Al Salloom also criticised the current allowance system, claiming that amounts were being granted to scholars without taking into account the actual living expenses in their host countries.
“Students living in London are given a stipend of BD400 a month, which barely covers anything,” he claimed.
“Most of them end up going around asking for help from charity societies. That shouldn’t be the case for young people who have earned their scholarships through hard work and top results.
“Also, some are pressured by their families to drop out because they cannot handle the expenses. The situation is not going ahead smoothly as it should,” he alleged.
Bloc spokesman Khalid Bu Onk echoed these concerns, stressing that the government must strike a balance between recognising academic achievements and providing practical support.
“Our young men and women are the future of this country,” said Mr Bu Onk.
“It is not enough to send them abroad with a scholarship and then leave them to struggle financially. They may return to Bahrain with no clear career path. We need to ensure that their sacrifice and excellence translate into security and opportunities.”
In July, Education Minister Dr Mohammed Mubarak Juma revealed that more than 4,000 scholarships and grants were allocated this year.
This included 1,900 full scholarships for students scoring 95 per cent and above, as well as 2,300 grants for students who scored between 90pc and 94.9pc.
However, MPs argue that while the numbers reflect government support for education, the ‘lack of a comprehensive employment strategy and the inadequacy of stipends’ risk undermining the programme’s impact.
“The government should look at this holistically,” added Bu Onk. “Scholarships should not only open doors to universities, but also pave the way to careers that serve Bahrain’s long-term needs.”
Presently, only Bahrain Teachers College (BTC) students have a guaranteed job at the Education Ministry.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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