Manama : In light of the continued review of the progress of educational processes across all public and private educational institutions, and following the previously announced temporary precautionary measures, the Ministry of Education announced a further update to these processes.
This follows earlier updates, which included allowing early education institutions (nurseries and kindergartens) to optionally resume operations, the optional resumption, at the discretion of parents, of educational services provided to students with disabilities enrolled in public and private schools, and the introduction of a flexible assessment system for students associated with international qualifications.
The update expands to include public and private schools and higher education institutions, to ensure the continuity of the educational process during the current academic year, while also taking into account the necessary flexibility for students and parents, as follows:
First: Public schools:
Providing two options for students and parents to complete the educational process, namely continuing studies through the distance learning system, or studying through in-person attendance across all public schools, and for all educational stages.
In the implementation of this update, educational and administrative bodies in public schools will contact students and parents during the current week to determine, record, and confirm preferences between the two available options. Students will also be provided with all necessary instructions. Public schools will begin receiving students wishing to attend in person starting on the Sunday of next week, corresponding to April 19.
Second: Private schools:
Allowing private school administrations to take appropriate decisions by continuing to operate educational processes through the distance learning system or transitioning to in-person learning, in accordance with each school’s circumstances and capabilities, while taking into account students, parents, and members of the educational and administrative bodies. Private schools shall provide the competent department at the Ministry of Education with the appropriate dates for resuming in-person study processes in the event that such a decision is taken.
Third: Higher education institutions:
Higher education institutions may resume in-person study for all students or implement operational plans that adopt a dual system (in-person and remote), in accordance with academic achievement priorities and course priorities, while ensuring the resumption of all practical training activities in laboratories and workshops, or in government sector institutions or the private sector, for all students in person, particularly those approaching graduation. The General Secretariat of the Higher Education Council will provide higher education institutions with the necessary clarifications and instructions in this regard.
Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak Juma, Minister of Education and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Higher Education Council, confirmed that the specialised working teams had, during the past period, undertaken the study, development, and approval of educational policies that are aligned with the current exceptional stage, achieve the required flexibility, and take into account students and parents, while ensuring the continuity of the educational process in accordance with best practices and without any interruption to academic attainment.
He noted that the Ministry of Education and the Higher Education Council will continue to evaluate educational processes, take decisions and measures, and adopt the necessary policies if required.
The minister also thanked all members of the educational and administrative bodies for their diligence, work, and dedication in carrying out the educational mission with full competence. He affirmed that this has been the key factor in the successful continuation of the educational process with full efficiency and without interruption despite the exceptional circumstances.
