Education
From The Report: Bahrain 2015
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Bahrain was the first country in the region to start developing universal education and today this continues to form a central tenet of government policy. The World Economic Forum currently ranks Bahrain 48th worldwide in terms of the quality of its education system, and the kingdom has a literacy rate of 91%. In June 2014 the Higher Education Council approved Bahrain’s first National Strategy for Higher Education and Scientific Research. The strategy focuses on six priority areas for reform and improvement, including the development of quality teaching, increasing student engagement and the enhancement of higher education institutions, while work placement schemes and vocational training aimed at matching skills with high-growth areas are also key elements. Government goals to attract greater private sector participation present a bright outlook for investors looking to target the segment.

This chapter contains an interview with Solveig Nicklos, Director, Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Bahrain works to maintain its regional lead in education
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The first country in the region to begin developing public education, Bahrain opened Al Hidaya Al Khalifia Boys School on Muharraq Island in 1919, and the first girls’ school in 1928. From these pioneering efforts to today the system has continued to grow, both in terms of state-funded institutions and privately run entities. Education for all is a central tenet of government policy, and Bahrain has hundreds of sector institutions, including over a dozen universities offering degrees in subjects…

Analysis

Opportunities for private involvement in Bahrain’s education sector are growing
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While Bahrain’s education rankings are among the highest in the Middle East, given the kingdom’s demographics there is still room for private investment at school level and in higher education. Some 32% of the population is under 15 years of age, and another 29% is aged 15-29. Regionally, the GCC education market is worth $40bn, with the private sector accounting for 14% of that. By 2020, the Gulf Arab states will be home to 11.3m general education students, and 1.9m in higher education. Private…

Interview

Solveig Nicklos, Director, BIBF: Interview
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Interview:Solveig Nicklos To what extent has the value of a bachelor’s degree diminished over the last few years in Bahrain, and what can be done to combat this? SOLLVEIG NICKLOS: The commoditisation of bachelor degrees and MBAs is a global issue. This is the outcome of an increase in the number of degree holders, the number of institutions providing them and the varying levels of quality of the awarding bodies. Another related issue is degree or vocational inflation, an outcome of recessionary…

Analysis

Bahrain’s first higher education and national research strategy is an important milestone
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In June 2014 the Higher Education Council (HEC) approved Bahrain’s first National Strategy for Higher Education and Scientific Research. This important document was designed with input from private sector entities, the government and international consulting firms. The strategy will help determine the direction of the higher education in the kingdom over the next 10 years. The HEC’s plan is designed to position Bahrain’s universities to develop future employees with the relevant skills the…