Autism Teacher Training Degree Proposed at Bahrain Teachers College

TDT | Manama

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A proposal to introduce an autism spectrum disorders specialisation at Bahrain Teachers College will go before Parliament on Tuesday, aiming to train Bahraini teachers to support more than 2,400 autistic people and ease care costs that can exceed BD 900 a month.

The motion would require the government, through the Ministry of Education, to launch a dedicated academic programme in autism spectrum disorders at Bahrain Teachers College. The idea is to build a group of Bahraini teachers with focused skills in education and care, lessen the strain on families and open extra jobs for graduates.

The proposal has been submitted by MPs Hisham Al Awadhi, Jaleela Alawi, Second Deputy Speaker Ahmed Qarata, Jameel Mulla Hassan and Mohammed Mousa. MP Al Awadhi, the main sponsor, said the rise in autism cases in Bahrain and the high fees charged by specialist centres show the need for local staff able to provide long-term, comprehensive support.

According to the explanatory memorandum, autism cases in Bahrain have risen to more than 2,400, while many families face monthly bills of over BD 900 for specialist care. The document states that a dedicated autism specialisation at Bahrain Teachers College would train national staff to work in schools and centres, bring more services within the public system and widen employment chances for citizens, helping to reduce unemployment and build skills in education and care.

In its written response, the Ministry of Education said it is already working with Bahrain Teachers College to design new academic programmes that match labour market needs. The college, it noted, runs several focused programmes, including a general training track for special education teachers that covers modern approaches and best practice for teaching pupils with autism spectrum disorders, with the aim of helping teachers reach a high level of performance when working with pupils with different learning needs.

The ministry added that it is in ongoing partnership with the college to study how to widen the programmes on offer and introduce new education tracks for teachers of non-core subjects, so that future courses serve the needs of Bahrain’s schools. It said both the ministry and the college would spare no effort in examining the introduction of a dedicated autism spectrum disorders programme whenever demand and sector requirements call for it.

While expressing its appreciation to the parliamentary committee handling the file, the ministry affirmed its readiness to provide any further clarifications and said it is keen to maintain close co-operation with Parliament within what it described as constructive relations between the executive and legislative branches, in the interests of Bahrain.

The Services Committee, with all members present in agreement, has recommended that Parliament approve the proposal in the form of a wish to create an autism spectrum disorders specialisation at Bahrain Teachers College, citing the public-interest grounds set out in the submission.