Education and Training

Formal education

The Kingdom of Bahrain is one of the first countries in the region to introduce formal education, establishing the first school in 1919. Since then, the Kingdom has ranked first regionally and enjoyed a prestigious position internationally, providing education for every member of society without discrimination. International reports have praised Bahrain’s achievements, which is 95%, in addition to its high level in the Human Development Index.

Compulsory education

In line with the "Education for All" principle, the Government provides free, high-quality education at public schools to Bahrainis and expatriates. In keeping with the “Leaving No One Behind” principle, students with special needs have been integrated into schools, which have the appropriate equipment, tools, and experience to meet their needs.

Basic education, covering the first nine academic years for students aged approximately between 6 and 14, is mandatory in Bahrain by law. The Ministry of Education ensures that all children in this age group receive appropriate education, either in public or private schools, in line with Strategic Plan 2019-2022 (PDF, 2.5MB, 2 Pages, Arabic Only). These nine years of basic education cover the elementary and intermediate levels. They are followed by another three years of secondary education, which includes various tracks.

Training

The Kingdom of Bahrain’s commitment to training is evidenced by its highly skilled workforce and ranking as second in the Arab World and 35th globally in the Human Development Index 2022, based on information provided by the World Economic Forum, the World Bank, and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

In line with its commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Government of Bahrain has taken important steps to enhance the skills and knowledge of its workforce, helping them meet and adapt to the ever-changing requirements of the labour market. The Kingdom is also bridging skills gaps across a range of sectors by providing specialized training and development programs aimed at ensuring sustainable economic growth.

The Technical Development Program is one of the most important government training programs helping to create job opportunities for qualified Bahrainis in the public and private sectors. It refines the skills of recent university graduates with technical specializations and supports them financially while they are undergoing training. This helps to ensure that bright young Bahrainis meet the labour market’s requirements and become employees of choice.

One of the cornerstones of Bahrain’s national reform project and its Economic Vision 2030, the Labour Fund (Tamkeen) enhances the private sector’s role as an enabler of national development, equipping Bahrainis with skills that are in line with market requirements, and helping to strengthen the contributions of institutions to the economy. Offering training, consulting, financing, entrepreneurship support, and other services to individuals and companies, Tamkeen’s unique model channels private sector investment into training programs and professional certifications to build a more skilled workforce.

The Institute of Public Administration (BIPA) provides training courses and workshops, including the National Leadership Development Program, specialized programs, contracted courses, and more, which aim to advance the performance of the public sector, optimize its performance and the use of its resources, and support economic and social development.

Targeting new and current employees, including middle and executive management, these programs also aim to build skills that are align with the latest trends, and help create policies and strategies that achieve sustainable development. BIPA also aims to instil leadership qualities in its trainees. For example, government employees participating in the National Leadership Development Program are trained with the specific objective of preparing them for future leadership roles.