وزارة التربية والتعليم - البحرين

The Ministry of Education of Bahrain (Arabic: وزارة التربية والتعليم) is the government body responsible for the planning, management and development of public education across primary, secondary and higher levels. Headed by Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak Juma, the Ministry directs policy implementation through subordinate bodies and commissions and plays a central role in setting educational standards consistent with Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030.

Historical Background

Bahrain boasts the oldest public education system in the Gulf, with the first boys' school, Al-Hidaya Al-Khalifia, founded in 1919 and the first girls' school in 1928. The Ministry of Education was formally established to consolidate these efforts, emphasizing compulsory education for children aged 6-15 and free access to schooling for both citizens and residents.

Mandate and Structure

The Ministry oversees all government-operated schools and serves as the umbrella for the Higher Education Council (HEC), the national accreditation body for post-secondary institutions. It manages curriculum design, teacher deployment, student assessments and the integration of technology in schools. Its strategic vision, rooted in Islamic and national values, seeks to achieve excellence through innovation, transparency and international cooperation.

Primary and Secondary Education

The Ministry enforces compulsory basic education (ages 6-14) and oversees secondary education streams (ages 15-17). It emphasizes a balanced curriculum that includes Islamic education, Arabic, English, science, social studies, arts and physical education. It has spearheaded national initiatives such as the "King Hamad Schools of the Future" to enhance ICT infrastructure and modernize pedagogical approaches.

Role in Higher Education and Accreditation

The ministry oversees higher education through the Higher Education Council (HEC), established under Law No. 3 of 2005. The HEC formulates higher education and research policy, proposes new public universities, approves academic disciplines and program modifications, regulates student admissions and licenses higher education institutions.

Accreditation and Quality Assurance

Academic accreditation falls under the joint operation of the HEC and the Education & Training Quality Authority (BQA/QAAET). The Ministry ensures that tertiary institutions adhere to national and international standards via institutional and programmatic accreditation. Many institutions hold international licenses and program-level accreditations.

Certification and Credential Recognition

The Ministry administers equivalence and validation of academic qualifications, including domestic certification and foreign credential recognition. The National Commission for Evaluation of Academic Degrees (NCEAD) mandates evaluation of degrees from domestic and international universities.

Digital Transformation and Innovation

The ministry launched the Digital Empowerment in Education Program in 2015, integrating technology into classrooms via platforms like eduNET, Bahrain's national e-learning system. This initiative provides digital libraries, interactive resources and administrative tools to support remote learning.

Research and International Partnerships

The Ministry promotes research by authorizing the establishment of research centers and encouraging partnerships between Bahraini universities and international institutions. It collaborates with global ranking agencies to advance Bahrain's position as a research and academic hub.

Institutional Licensing and Oversight

Through the HEC, the Ministry sets conditions for licensing both public and private universities. This includes approving governance frameworks and ensuring compliance with academic, fiscal, administrative and training standards.

Key Institutions Under the Ministry

The ministry supervises prominent higher education institutions, including:

• University of Bahrain (UoB)
• Bahrain Polytechnic
• Bahrain Teachers College
• Ahlia University
• Applied Science University
• Royal University for Women

Quality Oversight by BQA / QAAET

The independent Quality Assurance Authority for Education & Training (known as BQA or QAAET) operates under the Council of Ministers and is responsible for institutional reviews, national examinations and maintaining the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

Strategic Priorities

Aligned with Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030 and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4), the ministry focuses on:

• STEAM Education: Promoting science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics
• Inclusivity: Ensuring access for students with disabilities
• Public-Private Partnerships: Encouraging international investment in education

Conclusion

The Ministry of Education of Bahrain remains a cornerstone of the nation's development, driving advancements in accreditation, digital learning and higher education reform. Its efforts to align local qualifications with international standards and foster innovation position Bahrain as a leader in education within the GCC and beyond.

Organization Name

وزارة التربية والتعليم - البحرين

Ministry of Education of Bahrain

Acronym

MoE

Year of Establishment

Control Type

Public

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

National

Recognized by

n.a.

Affiliations or Memberships

n.a.

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

n.a.

Address

PO Box 43
Manama
Capital Governorate Bahrain

Phone

+973 17 278 999

Fax

+973 17 273 656

List of universities in Bahrain recognized by the Ministry of Education of Bahrain:

• AHLIA UNIVERSITY
• AMA BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY - AMA
• APPLIED SCIENCE UNIVERSITY - ASU
• ARAB OPEN UNIVERSITY - AOU
• BAHRAIN INSTITUTE OF BANKING AND FINANCE -BIBF
• GULF UNIVERSITY - GU
• ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEOUS IN BAHRAIN - RSCI
• ROYAL UNIVERSITY FOR WOMEN - RUW
• TALAL ABU GHAZZLEH UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF BUSINESS - TAGUCB
• THE KINGDOM UNIVERSITY - KU
• UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF BAHRAIN - UCB

Official Social Media Channels

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Wikipedia Article

Ministry of Education of Bahrain's Wikipedia page

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