Education mirrors civilization of nations, progress of people: Bahrain Deputy PM

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Supreme Council for the Development of Education and Training, has stressed the importance of education as a measure of the civilization of nations and the progress of states and peoples.

He lauded the interest and guidance of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in achieving the qualitative development of education, the education and training reform project launched by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and its initiatives that include enhancing the quality of education and training.

HH Shaikh Mohammed was speaking as he opened the fourth conference of the Education and Training Quality Authority under the theme "The Future of Education and Training Quality: Between Global Trends and Local Execution".

More than 1,120 specialists, academics and people interested in education and training at the local, regional and international levels are attending the virtual conference held under HH Shaikh Mohammed's patronage.

Regional and international bodies and institutions from 30 different countries and Bahrain are also participating.

In his opening speech, HH Shaikh Mohammed referred to the report published by the United Nations policy brief "Education during COVID-19 and beyond", published in August 2020.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has created the largest disruption of education systems in history, affecting nearly 1.6 billion learners in more than 190 countries and all continents," the brief said.

"Closures of schools and other learning spaces have impacted 94 per cent of the world’s student population, up to 99 per cent in low and lower-middle income countries."

HH Shaikh Mohammed commended the progress of education in Bahrain since it was formally launched more than 100 years ago with the founding of Al Hidaya Al Khalifiah School in Muharraq in 1919.

The educational process has since witnessed tremendous development in terms of goals and stages of study in accordance with the changes in education, labor market requirements and comprehensive development programs.

The changes were in line with the development in societies, the tremendous and rapid technological transformations across the world, and the inputs from specialists and educators about the importance of reviewing the education systems starting from kindergarten to post-graduation.

The aim was to establish an educational system that meets the requirements of the 21st century and that is capable of producing an educated generation driven by the dynamism of creativity, innovation and competition in different aspects of life.

HH lauded the successes achieved by the Education and Training Quality Authority in the 12 years since its establishment.

The Authority was able to keep pace with quality systems regionally and internationally through the 20 memoranda of understanding and cooperation signed with local and international institutions to transfer experiences and expertise, he said.

The Authority's work as an independent institution that takes into account international quality standards in the quality of curricula, the efficiency of educational and administrative assets, and the infrastructure within the framework of a transparent and comprehensive assessment system.

HH Shaikh Mohammed added that these agreements have provided the Authority with experience and expertise in assessing the quality of the Education and Training Department.

It successfully completed more than 1,712 comprehensive reports on the quality of schools, universities and institutes in the public and private sectors, employing qualified Bahrainis, and assigning foreign qualifications to the national ones. The assessments continued even during the time of the coronavirus pandemic.

HH Shaikh Mohammed referred to the contract the government signed with an international company with expertise in education to restructure the Ministry of Education in order to strengthen its role in operating schools and enabling it to keep pace with developments and to manage the educational process with the required efficiency.

The aim was also for the ministry to carry out a strategy to develop post-school education, strengthen applied education institutions to raise the enrollment rate in post-school education, and enhance the role of post-school applied education institutions to 50%, in cooperation with the private sector and in response to the requirements of the labor market and the contemporary industrial revolution.

With the advanced quality of education, it is possible to contribute to the comprehensive progress, to improve the educational environment, and to address environmental challenges and risks to the future of humanity, HH Shaikh Mohammed said. He stressed the importance of cooperation and collective endeavors, concerted efforts, and harnessing all capabilities and skills available in these vital and important areas.

HH Shaikh Mohammed highlighted the significance of holding conferences and exchanging experiences and expertise for the sake of improved education, the basis for the advancement of nations, the progress of their people, and the way for their growth and evolution.