Debate over BD500 fee for teachers

TDT | Manama

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A proposal to spare private school teachers from a BD500 training fee, or have the government pay it in full, was put forward by MP Hanan Fardan and four other MPs.

The move targets the cost of the teacher professionalization programme, which private school teachers must pass to secure a professional teaching licence. Teachers working for the Ministry of Education take the same course free of charge at public expense.

Ms Fardan said the fee placed a heavy strain on private school teachers, many of whom earn little more than the cost of the programme itself.

“This proposal comes in view of the circumstances faced by private school teachers in Bahrain, and in order to preserve the professional stability of this important group of educational staff,” she said.

“These teachers are required to pass the teacher professionalisation programme, which is partly supported by the Labour Fund (Tamkeen), as a condition for obtaining a professional licence, while teachers at the Ministry of Education receive this programme free of charge at government expense.”

The programme costs around BD500, according to the proposal.

Ms Fardan said some teachers had only a short period to pay and join, straining both their money and time. The proposal also calls for private school teachers to receive help with training and career growth on the same footing as their counterparts in public schools.