Hanan Al -Khalfan
When we contemplate the educational scene in Bahrain today, we can only stand a pause for praise and pride in what has been achieved from qualitative transfers that embody a clear and ambitious vision in developing national education, so who enables the student and involved him in the path of educational decision -making, to expand his academic horizon through advanced global programs, we see a actual shift that reflects the maturity of educational thought and a sincere desire in the manufacture of more awareness and quality, quality, From here we see an educational reality that is not satisfied with preserving the path, but rather makes change and leads it steadily.
Two events that reflected this transformation recently drew me, and they clearly embody that Bahrain is not satisfied with developing education formally, but rather in the depth of the educational process with modern concepts that put the student at the heart of the equation, the first of which is the meeting of His Excellency the Minister of Education with the Student Consulting Committee that represents various government secondary schools. This meeting, in its content and timing, reflects a new image of the relationship between the student and the official is a relationship based on mutual respect, trust, and faith, that the student is not merely a recipient of decisions, but rather an effective party in its industry. Perhaps allowing students to participate in preparing the exam schedule, and adopting an official schedule based on their proposals, constitutes a qualitative shift in the method of managing educational affairs, and reflects the extent of the ministry’s openness to the ideas of its sons and daughters.
As for the second event, it is the announcement of the study of the International Diploma program “International Baccalaureate- IB” within the educational paths available to government high school students, and this in itself is an educational leap with a strategic dimension, as it opens up to students in the future broad educational prospects, corresponding to international standards, and actually preparing them to continue their studies in the most prestigious international universities.
Adopting such a program in government schools is not just an administrative decision, but rather is available to all the people of the country, in belief that qualitative education opportunities should not be exclusive to one category without another.
What is happening today in Bahraini schools is more than separate efforts or temporary decisions. It is a comprehensive national project, which is based on a firm belief that the development of education is not completed except with the integration of roles: a student who can, a teacher who is qualified, an official listening, and a society supported. This advanced vision, and this participatory spirit that has become the educational process in Bahrain, confirms that real reform starts from within, from faith in bridging gaps through realistic initiatives, deep impact, far from the review, close to the essence of the educational process.
Frankly, to follow the educational issue with passion and interest, I see in these advanced steps a cause of pride, and even more, I see it as a bright Arab message at a time when our Arab world needs successful models that inspire it and prove that change is not impossible. The Kingdom of Bahrain has proven that education is not only promoted by laws and curricula, but with the minds that believe, and the leaders that hear, and the cadres that are trained, and students who participate in decision -making. It is a national experience that deserves to be narrated, not because it has occurred, but rather because it simply carries a real promises of a brighter future for a generation who knows very well that he is not just a recipient, but a maker of his history, an engineer for his future, and a citizen belonging to a homeland that he believes in.
