Annual Cost per Public School Student Ranges Between BD 1,700 and BD 2,000: Minister

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Manama: Minister of Education Dr. Mohammed Jumaa said that there is no single fixed figure for the annual cost per student in public schools, as the amount varies depending on the methodology used to calculate it.

Responding to a question from MP Mohammed Moussa, Dr. Jumaa explained that he had provided three different calculation methods, noting that the choice of methodology depends on the policy adopted by the entity conducting the assessment.

He said the first method is based on direct operational expenditures related to the student, including salaries of teachers and administrative staff, service costs such as internet, communications and transportation, consumables like textbooks and stationery, consumer goods such as air conditioners, and educational projects that support academic achievement. Under this method, the annual cost per student is approximately BD 1,700, which amounts to nearly BD 21,000 over the 12 years a student typically spends in the education system.

According to the Minister, the second method involves calculating the student’s direct expenses, in addition to operational and maintenance costs. This raises the annual cost per student to about BD 1,800, reaching approximately BD 22,000 over 12 years.

Dr. Jumaa added that when all elements of the educational process are included — such as school construction, furnishing new schools and ongoing maintenance — the annual cost per student increases to around BD 2,000. Over a 12-year period, this totals approximately BD 24,600.

Addressing a related question on classrooms, the Minister said there are currently 5,000 built classrooms within integrated school facilities, in addition to 860 mobile classrooms, which account for about 14% of the total. He noted that the construction cost of a single classroom is BD 12,500, with an average maintenance cost of BD 1,200. Each classroom undergoes three maintenance cycles and has a lifespan of 16 years.

Dr. Jumaa also revealed that a Cabinet-approved plan is in place to construct 18 new schools based on student density across the Kingdom of Bahrain. This will be complemented by the construction of 23 new academic buildings within existing schools that have sufficient capacity, as well as the renovation of older school facilities.

Photo: Gemini AI