Education

With the first modern school in the Gulf set up in the country in 1919, and the first girls’ school opened in 1928, Bahrain has one of the longest histories of education in the region. Greater investment in the sector aims to improve quality across the board while matching graduates’ skills with the needs of the labour market. The nation’s public schools continue to perform well with the National Authority for Qualifications and Quality Assurance of Education and Training rating twice as many public schools as “outstanding” compared to private institutions. Steps are being taken to integrate technology into the classroom, with the education ministry engaging major IT firms to promote technology as a teaching tool.  Meanwhile, as part of its push for the Bahrainisation of the workforce, the government is supporting a number of on-the-job training initiatives. Funding schemes, such as Tamkeen, have also set minimum industry quotas to be filled by Bahrainis and are redoubling efforts in vocational training.