The public education system in the Kingdom of Bahrain was established in 1930 when the government took over the operations of two pre-existing primary schools for boys, establishing separate facilities for girls soon afterwards.
Prior to the 1900s, Koranic schools, or madrasas, were the only form of education in Bahrain. Ther first academic school in the country was an elementary school established by the American Dutch Reformed Church in 1892. Bahraini merchants enrolled their students in the school, where they learned English, mathematics, and Christianity, until it closed in 1933, reopening the following year as the Al Raja School, which is still in operation.
After World War II, public schools were opened on Bahrain, the first being Al-Hidaya Al-Khalifa Boys School, on the island of Muharraq. A second public boys school was opened in Manama in 1926, and the first public school for girls was established in 1928. Originally funded primarily by merchants, the government took over the functions of the schools in 1930.
Today, school supplies, books, uniforms, meals, and transportation to and from school are paid for by the Bahraini government, and there is no tuition for primary, intermediate, or secondary schools. In practice, nearly all children attend primary school, and about two-thirds of Bahraini children enroll in intermediate school, but there is a high drop-out rate in secondary school, particularly among girls.
Nevertheless, Bahrain has a literacy rate approaching 95%.
In addition to Bahrain's public schools, there are several private, international, and religious schools in Bahrain, some of which primarily serve the children of foreign workers, executives, diplomats, and military personnel residing in Bahrain. Other schools are operated by foreign governments, such as the United States Department of Defense.
The first institution of higher learning in Bahrain was the Gulf Polytechnic, which opened in 1968 as the Gulf Technical College, and merged with the University College of Art, Science, and Education in 1979 to create UCB/Polytechnic. Today, there are other choices as well, such as the University of Bahrain, Bahrain Polytechnic, the College of Health Sciences, the Arabian Gulf University, and some private universities.
Primary, intermediate, and secondary education in Bahrain are regulated by the Bahrain Ministry of Education, while institutions of higher learning are overseen by the Quality Assurance Authority for Education and Training.
Recommended Resources
AMA International University-Bahrain
AMAIU-Bahrain is a branch of the Philippine-based AMA Computer University, offering bachelor degrees in Computer Science, International Studies, Business Information, Engineering Informatics, and Mechatronics Engineering, as well as graduate programs Computer Science, and a College of Medicine. Located in Manama, its admissions policies, academic and research programs, and administrative contacts are featured.
http://www.amaiu.edu.bh/
Situated south of Manama, in Sitka, Bahrain, ASWU was one of the first private universities in Bahrain to teach in Arabic and English. Its undergraduate and postgraduate programs are highlighted, with details of its College of Administrative Sciences, College of Law, College of Arts and Sciences, and College of Engineering. A research handbook, annual distinguished seminar and local seminar series, and various other publications are available.
http://www.asu.edu.bh/
Also known as Bahrain School, the school is operated by the Bahrain International School Association with the United States Department of Defense Education Activity. Located in Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, the school takes students from kindergarten through the twelfth grade, through Elementary School and High School programs, culminating in an International Baccalaureate diploma. Enrollment and registration policies, a school handbook, and student services are highlighted.
https://www.dodea.edu/BahrainEHS/
Established by King Hamid bin Isa Al Khalifa in 2008, the government operated school offers applied learning, technical education, skills-based and occupational training programs culminating in certificates, diplomas, or bachelor’s degrees, the school is located in Isa Town, Kingdom of Bahrain. Its industry collaborative programs, research programs, alumni resources, and career information are set forth.
http://www.polytechnic.bh/
Established in 1995 through an initiative proposed by the Ambassador of the People's Republic of Bangladesh to Bahrain, the Manama, Bahrain school offers both the National Curriculum of Bangladesh and the British International Curriculum, catering largely to the children of Bangladeshi who are residing in Bahrain. A school profile is set forth, along with its curriculum, admissions policies, and employment opportunities.
http://www.bangladeshschool.org/
Situated on the campus of Bahrain School, a United States Department of Defense school in Juffair, Manama, Bahrain, the Dormitory is not directly connected to the US Department of Defense, but provides living accommodations for boys and girls, from grades eight through twelve, with boys and girls living in separate wings. The facilities are highlighted, with photographs, activities, and admissions policies and fees.
http://www.bisadormitory.com.bh/
Located in Hamala, Bahrain, BSB is a selective, coeducational school for students ages three to eighteen, offering programs for 3-6 year-olds, 7-10 year-olds, and 11-18 year-olds, adhering to the National Curriculum of the United Kingdom. Its curricula and programs are described in detail, and an overview of campus life is given. Admissions policies, tuition, examination requirements and schedules, and career opportunities are presented.
https://www.britishschoolbahrain.com/
Modeled after a British Primary School, the Capital School in Mahooz Zinj, Bahrain, offers a class/form structure and a National Standard Curriculum, including the Early Year’s Foundation Stage, while complying with the requirements of the Bahrain Ministry of Education guidelines for teaching Arabic and Islamic classes, although English is the medium of instruction. School facilities are described and shown in photographs, and its curriculum, year groups, and admissions policies are stated.
https://capitalschoolbahrain.com/
Established in 2001, the private university features a College of Administration and Financial Science, College of Computer Engineering and Sciences, College of Engineering, and College of Law, each of which are highlighted here, along with its other centers, units and offices. Located in Sanad, Bahrain, its admission and registration policies and procedures, research services, and career information are set forth.
https://www.gulfuniversity.edu.bh/
The post-secondary school is located in Riffa, Bahrain, and includes a College of Law, College of Architectural Engineering & Design, and College of Business Administration, offering associate diplomas and bachelors degrees, which are outlined here, along with its admissions and enrollment policies, student and alumni programs, research facilities and programs, and community involvement.
http://www.ku.edu.bh/
Created in 1978, the Primary School consists of preschool, infant, and junior sections, offering educational programs for children from Pre-Nursery age to Year 6, or from age two to eleven, supplementing the English National Curriculum with resources and curricula from Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. Located in Umm Al Hassam, Kingdom of Bahrain, the school enrolls children from several different countries.
http://www.nadeenschool.com/
Located in Busaiteen, Bahrain, RCSI-Bahrain Is a constituent university of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, a non-profit health sciences university focused on medical education and research, offering undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Its schools and departments are highlighted, including its admissions policies, student services, research, and alumni programs.
http://www.rcsi-mub.com/
Opening in 2011, the Eastern School offers a British Curriculum for students in elementary and secondary school at its facilities in Adliya, Kingdom o Bahrain. A school profile, management and administration, staff details, and an overview of the facilities, library, laboratory, computer lab, and medical facilities are set forth, along with policy information, a student handbook, its curriculum, and admissions policies.
http://www.theeasternschoolbahrain.com/
The private university in Saar, Bahrain, offers degrees in business administration, information technology, and graphic design. UCB was founded in 2002, and provides an international learning experienced conducted entirely in the English language. An organizational chart, policies and procedures, accreditation and membership are set forth, with its admissions policies and application process, library services, and contacts.
http://www.ucb.edu.bh/
The largest state-operated university in the Kingdom of Bahrain, UoB has campuses in Isa Town, Manama, and Sakhir, offering more than eighty academic programs, including bachelor’s, master’s, PhDs, and diploma programs. Its locations, academic programs, colleges, research facilities and programs, industrial partnerships, and admissions policies are posted to the site, and a private login for students and staff is available.
http://www.uob.edu.bh/en/
