Bahrain Launches Authority to Ensure Education Quality

MANAMA - Bahrain on Tuesday launched the Quality Assurance Authority for Education and Training (QAA) at a ceremony marking the beginning of wide-ranging reforms in the educational sector.

The QAA aims to boost the education sector in the country by setting clear-cut standards for education training institutions.

Crown Prince Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa told journalists at the launching ceremony that during the time like the current economic crisis it became more imperative to train people with right kinds of skills to protect them in the longer run.

In line with Vision-2030

The authority comes in line with Bahrain's Economic Vision-2030 which recognises education and training as important elements in delivering the future of the kingdom. The cabinet last week ratified a national strategy for the Vision-2030.

The QAA is one of the key initiatives of the National Education Reform Initiatives, which aim to develop the education system at all levels. It includes establishment of a Bahrain Teacher's College, Bahrain Polytechnic and creation of a School Improvement Programme.

The QAA's functions will be based on its four main monitoring units -- Schools Review Unit (SRU), Vocational Review Unit (VRU), Higher Education Review Unit (HERU) and the National Examinations Unit (NEU).

The Quality Assurance Authority will be responsible for conducting inspections of schools, vocational providers and universities besides running school-level examinations. A report will be prepared indicating the performance of the education sector.

Performance Report

The authority will review on a regular basis the performance of public and private educational institutions, in addition to conducting exams.

The formal education system in Bahrain was established in 1919, since then there have been a series of efforts launched by the government to improve the education sector.