Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Bahrain’s Private Schools’ New Draft Law

Bahrain’s Ministry of Education has introduced a new draft law for private schools, designed to keep pace with major changes in the education sector and strengthen oversight across all private institutions. The move comes as the number of students, schools, and teaching staff continues to grow, alongside evolving teaching methods and updated licensing requirements.

Under the proposed law, the ministry will formally oversee all stages of education, including nurseries and kindergartens, with the aim of raising quality standards and ensuring consistent supervision. The ministry has recorded around 150 violations in private schools, spanning issues related to school buildings, tuition fees, employment practices, and curricula. The new legislation sets out clear procedures to address such violations, with license withdrawal reserved only for serious or repeated cases.

The draft law also emphasizes stronger collaboration between schools and families by requiring the establishment of parents’ councils in private schools. On the financial side, it introduces tighter oversight, obliging schools to submit regular financial reports and notify authorities early if they face difficulties meeting salary obligations.

Additionally, private schools will be allowed subject to ministry approval to invest in facilities such as halls, playgrounds, and swimming pools as potential sources of additional income. Overall, the new draft law aims to create a transparent, sustainable, and high-quality private education system that benefits students, parents, and educators across Bahrain.