Bahrain to Reopen Nurseries and Special Needs Schools from April 5

The Ministry of Education will allow nurseries, kindergartens, and schools serving pupils with special needs to reopen from Sunday, 5 April 2026, while keeping remote learning in place for all other students until further notice.

The move follows the ministry’s latest review of the emergency operating steps brought in as a precaution over the past period. It said the change would give parents more room to choose and widen access to services linked to early years learning and special education.

From Sunday, parents may send children back to nurseries and kindergartens if they wish. The same choice will apply to families of pupils with special needs in public and private schools, which will again be allowed to receive them and provide teaching and support on-site.

Private schools will also be allowed to run test arrangements linked to international qualifications under a flexible scheme agreed with overseas awarding bodies. The ministry said this would help students secure their certificates and graduation papers without harm to their academic standing, in a step meant to protect their future study prospects.

All other students in public schools, private schools, and other educational institutions will stay on remote learning until the ministry says otherwise.

Education Minister Dr Mohammed bin Mubarak Juma said the revised operating steps gave families better choices in early education and special education services, while also helping a large group of students working towards international qualifications.

He said the plan opened the way for a suitable alternative evaluation path known as the ‘no exam route’, helping students complete the work needed for their certificates without damage to their results.

Dr Juma also praised government and private schools for keeping up testing through digital platforms, saying this had helped teaching and evaluation carry on without a break.

He thanked staff across educational institutions for their continued co-operation and for adhering to the ministry’s approved policies and regulatory procedures.