MPs Approve Bahrain TV Tutoring Slot

TDT | Manama

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Lawmakers voted on Tuesday to back a call for Bahrain Television to carry revision and tutoring lessons for public school pupils across all year groups, backing the plan by 19 votes to eight, with three abstentions.

The proposal, put forward by MP Dr Maryam Al Dhaen, asks the Government to allocate a regular slot on one of Bahrain Television’s channels for support lessons in different subjects for students at every stage of schooling.

‘Educational television channels are an effective way for students to keep up with their subjects remotely, stay on top of the curriculum, and keep reviewing in a proper learning setting that supports their attainment,’ Dr Al Dhaen told Parliament.

She pointed to Bahrain’s experience during the Covid-19 period, when more than one channel was used to broadcast lessons. ‘During the coronavirus period, more than one channel was allocated to broadcast lessons, and that had a positive impact on students and helped raise their readiness while ensuring information reached them in a clear, organised way,’ she said.

The Ministry of Education told Parliament, in its written view, that the aim of the proposal is already being delivered through digital routes. It cited the eduNET portal and Microsoft Teams, saying they allow students to reach lessons and support from any location and at times that suit them, while helping teachers track progress and give help where needed. The ministry added that recorded televised lessons are also available via its YouTube channels, and that targeted support lessons are delivered during the school day under organised arrangements for students who need extra help.

MP Mohammed Al Rifai said the material is already easy to access without creating another television service. ‘The educational content is available through the ministry’s portal and its YouTube channel, which lets the student return to any lesson at any time, easily, without the need to allocate a new television channel,’ he said.

The ministry said television broadcasts were used during Covid-19 because of the switch to distance learning, but argued that television lessons are not interactive and do not suit lower-performing students who require additional interactive support.

Parliament’s Services Committee had recommended the proposal for approval, citing the public-interest case for the measure.