An Interview with Dalal Alaiawat, Head of the Environmental Engineering Programme at UTB
An Interview with Sheikh Khaled Al Khalifa, General Director, Vatel Bahrain
An Interview with Dr Simon Watson, Principal, St Christopher’s School Bahrain
An Interview with Dr. Bradley J. Cook, Founding Director, American University of Bahrain
An Interview with Dave McMaster, Founding Director, American School of Bahrain
An Interview with John Maguire, Executive Headmaster, The British School of Bahrain
An Interview with Dr Paul Walton, Principal, Nadeen School
Post-pandemic Opportunities and the Impact of AI on the Investment Landscape
Gulf Insider talks to John Maguire, Executive Headmaster of the British School of Bahrain
Gulf Insider talks to Wayne Ridgway, Senior School Head Teacher of the British School of Bahrain
Gulf Insider talks to Robert Howe, Junior School Head Teacher of the British School of Bahrain
Gulf Insider talks to Julie Anne Gilbert, Infant School Head Teacher of British School of Bahrain
Gulf Insider talks to Dr. Susan Saxton, Founding President and Mr. William Hurt, COO of AUBH
Gulf Insider talks to Ms. Abby Saadeh, Principal of the Canadian School Bahrain
Gulf Insider talks to Malek Osseiran, Head of Gulf’s LinkedIn Talent Solutions (LTS)
Gulf Insider speaks to Shaikha Latifa Al-Khalifa, Co-founder and CEO of Clever Play
Gulf Insider talks to Mark Whitfield, Education Director of Britus Education
Gulf Insider talks to Dr. Anisha Abraham, Clinical Psychologist at AMH, Bahrain
Gulf Insider talks to Maryam Al Razqi and Zahra Ghanbari of Education Zone
Gulf Insider speaks to American School of Bahrain’s Founding Director, Dave McMaster
2 days ago
AI and new-age technology are changing the world and the education space. The GCC is responding to the changing norms of teaching and learning. To say that the world is changing in the wake of Artificial Intelligence is an understatement. As nations navigate complexities to implement their global AI doctrines, many are leading the charge. In the GCC alone, we’re witnessing a “Digital Renaissance” of sorts – a shift from mere experimentation. From smart classrooms to self-learning, the “Age of AI” is presented not as a successor to the educator but as a great enabler. A Global Perspective: The Rise of the Personalised Classroom Globally, the traditional chalk-and-board model of learning and teaching has become a thing of the past, and AI-based Personalised Learning Systems are the new standard in teaching. According to DemandSage’s AI in Education Statistics 2025, close to 60 per cent of educators across the world are currently utilising AI technology on a daily basis, mostly for purposes of lesson planning and evaluation. This integration of technology ultimately benefits students, as AI technology platforms can increase retention rates by up to 30 per cent, thanks to their ability to deliver content based on learners’ speeds and preferences. […]
2 days ago
Building an inclusive learning environment goes beyond ticking architectural or policy boxes. It requires a constant evolution in how classrooms operate day to day. Across the Gulf region, where education is transforming rapidly, the conversation has moved from simple integration to genuine inclusion. This means more than placing students with diverse needs in the same room. It means redesigning how classrooms function to support every learner. From Integration to Active Participation Inclusive education in the GCC is gaining real traction. Bahrain has integrated special education programs into 179 schools, ensuring students aren’t just present but actively participating in their communities (Educators’ Perspective, 2025). Educators are achieving this through Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Rather than creating a lesson plan and then retrofitting it for one or two students, UDL builds diversity into the design from the start. A history teacher at a Bahraini secondary school might offer three project options: a written essay, a recorded podcast, or a visual storyboard. The learning objective remains consistent, but the paths to reach it vary according to each student’s strengths. The Power of Co-Teaching and “Push-in” Support One of the most effective shifts seen on regional campuses is the move away from pull-out […]
2 days ago
Tubli Primary Boys School is developing the skills of 36 talented students in technology and artificial intelligence this academic year as part of its “Digital Pioneers” initiative, a program designed to meet the diverse interests of its students. Computer teacher Bushra Said Mustafa Jafar explained that the initiative trains students to become digital assistants for teachers during computer classes. The students conduct short educational sessions to introduce their classmates to digital applications and AI tools that support learning and school projects. Similarly, subject teacher Zahra Amir Ibrahim highlighted that these students undergo intensive training to acquire advanced technical skills while also fostering leadership and responsibility. This prepares them to effectively support classroom activities and encourage their peers to use modern technology in learning. During the first semester, this group successfully produced 30 digital stories that focused on positive values and behaviors, such as self-learning and teamwork. The initiative is part of government schools’ ongoing efforts to improve educational services and provide greater support for student talents, with supervision and guidance from specialists at the Ministry of Education.
3 days ago
Education_BH: Innovation and Excellence celebrates the remarkable innovations implemented in Bahrain’s schools and universities. We learned about these innovations, the process, the challenges, and the lessons learned from some of the leading educational institutions in the Kingdom. Read all about Abdul Rahman Kanoo School‘s innovation below. First school in Bahrain to integrate an AI Agent “Dana” Addressing a need within the admissions department, ARKS Diyar have implemented a virtual admissions guide to assist parents and students with their queries. The AI Agent, Dana, is the first of its kind in Bahrain, developed by DOO. Please share a brief background of your innovation. Abdul Rahman Kanoo School Diyar (ARKS) has become the first private school in Bahrain to integrate DOO’s AI Capabilities for its Admission Department. The school is proud to pioneer a new era in technological advancement with the support of our partners, DOO. This advanced capability to transform and enhance our admissions process, via “Dana,” a virtual admissions guide, who will assist prospective parents and students by answering inquiries, providing real-time support, and seamlessly guiding users through each step of the admissions journey. This initiative represents a major step forward in AI integration and digital transformation within the education sector. By […]
3 days ago
Education_BH: Innovation and Excellence celebrates the remarkable innovations implemented in Bahrain’s schools and universities. We learned about these innovations, the process, the challenges, and the lessons learned from some of the leading educational institutions in the Kingdom. Read all about the Bahrain Bayan School‘s innovation below. Pearl Guardian (حارس اللؤلؤ): Ethical Pearl-Scanning Robotics Project Student-designed innovation uses artificial intelligence to identify mature oysters, connecting Bahrain’s pearling traditions with responsible modern technology. Please share a brief background of your innovation. The innovation was officially launched at Bahrain Bayan School through a dedicated student showcase attended by key stakeholders, including representatives from DANAT (Bahrain Institute for Pearls & Gemstones), local pearl jewellery designers from across Bahrain, and officials from the education and sustainability sectors. This launch strengthened the connection between education, industry, and national heritage. Pearl Guardian is a student-designed robotics and AI innovation developed at Bahrain Bayan School to connect modern technology with Bahrain’s pearling heritage. The project reimagines traditional pearl diving through the use of an ethical AI-powered scanning device that helps identify mature oysters while protecting young and environmentally sensitive ones. The innovation reflects the school’s commitment to developing culturally aware, future-ready learners who use technology responsibly. Pearl Guardian was showcased in […]
3 days ago
Education_BH: Innovation and Excellence celebrates the remarkable innovations implemented in Bahrain’s schools and universities. We learned about these innovations, the process, the challenges, and the lessons learned from some of the leading educational institutions in the Kingdom. Read all about the Bahrain School‘s innovation below. R.A.W. Bites – School, Home, and Community Partnerships Bahrain School created R.A.W. Bites, a monthly family support programme partnering with community resources to help parents better support their children’s academic, social and emotional wellbeing. Please share a brief background of your innovation. The goal of this innovation is to build a partnership between our families, the school community, and other community resources – to build a sort of “hub” at Bahrain School where things happen and families can feel connected and supported. How was the innovation planned? This innovation was planned through the collaborative efforts of our school leadership, teachers, parents, and community resources to identify the needs of families and students. Informal conversations were used to gather feedback from the wider school community, ensuring that the program addresses real priorities and concerns among our students and their families. What were the challenges faced during implementation? Participation was a challenge we encountered early on in the implementation. Finding […]
3 days ago
Education_BH: Innovation and Excellence celebrates the remarkable innovations implemented in Bahrain’s schools and universities. We learned about these innovations, the process, the challenges, and the lessons learned from some of the leading educational institutions in the Kingdom. Read all about the British Preparatory School‘s innovation below. Play and Activity-Based Early Learning British Preparatory School is transforming its early years education by implementing play and enquiry-based learning. This child-centred approach replaces textbook learning methods with hands-on exploration, resulting in children exceeding UK national averages while developing stronger communication skills, emotional resilience, and confidence in their learning journey. Please share a brief background of your innovation. Under the leadership of Mrs Smith, Principal of The British Preparatory School and an experienced early years educator with over 14 years in the field, the school has embraced a transformative shift toward play and enquiry-based learning. Firmly believing that the foundations of education are best laid through curiosity, creativity and exploration, Mrs Smith led the school in implementing a modern, child-centred approach aligned with international best practices in early childhood education. How was the innovation planned? This innovation began with a complete review and redesign of the school’s early years curriculum. The planning process involved extensive research, curriculum […]
3 days ago
Education_BH: Innovation and Excellence celebrates the remarkable innovations implemented in Bahrain’s schools and universities. We learned about these innovations, the process, the challenges, and the lessons learned from some of the leading educational institutions in the Kingdom. Read all about the British School of Bahrain‘s innovation below. High Performance Sports Programme The programme integrates advanced disciplines, such as sports nutrition, psychology, and strength and conditioning, into the school curriculum to support both general student wellbeing and elite athletic pathways. For high-performing athletes, it offers a 360-degree digitised tracking system and flexible academic scheduling, paving the way for professional sports careers and international university scholarships. Please share a brief background of your innovation. The British School of Bahrain launched its unique and specialist High Performance Programme for Sport. The programme helps every child to find their place in sport, whether or not they make the first team, instilling the challenges, discipline and joy that Physical Education brings. The approach of the school and the programme is centred around the philosophy of ‘PE for all, Sport for some’, tailoring pathways towards elite and professional sport for the most talented athletes. The programme introduces specialist aspects into the curriculum that support athletic development, which are not […]
3 days ago
Education_BH: Innovation and Excellence celebrates the remarkable innovations implemented in Bahrain’s schools and universities. We learned about these innovations, the process, the challenges, and the lessons learned from some of the leading educational institutions in the Kingdom. Read all about Hawar International School‘s innovation below. Safeguarding Steering Group Hawar International School established Bahrain’s first collaborative Safeguarding Network and Steering Group, locally contextualising global best practices to protect students. In partnership with UK experts and Atvion software, the initiative fosters cross-school collaboration and real-time digital monitoring to address the unique safety challenges within Bahrain’s educational ecosystem. Please share a brief background of your innovation. Safeguarding, although a buzzword and a ticked box, has never been locally contextualised. The challenges each individual school faces are unique to its ecosystem. It was with this in mind that Hawar International School decided to become part of the solution. How was the innovation planned? We looked at best practice from the UK, which is seen as the global leading light in this space and found Victoria Raynor, who had set up a DSL (Designated Safeguarding Lead) network that had organically grown from just a handful of schools to over 100. The innovation grew from a conversation into […]
3 days ago
Education_BH: Innovation and Excellence celebrates the remarkable innovations implemented in Bahrain’s schools and universities. We learned about these innovations, the process, the challenges, and the lessons learned from some of the leading educational institutions in the Kingdom. Read all about Ibn Khuldoon National School‘s innovation below. Team Nasser Team Nasser is a student-led social innovation initiative that combines youth leadership with professional community development. The innovation lies in its structured, student-led model, where youth manage everything from site assessments and design to fundraising and logistics, transforming social service into a platform for professional skill-building and sustainable community impact. Please share a brief background of your innovation. Team Nasser is a student-led community initiative from Ibn Khuldoon National School (IKNS), supported by the Nasser Al Khair Association and the Ministry of Youth Affairs. The team focuses on social impact projects such as home and facility renovations, empowering Bahraini youth to serve their community through leadership, teamwork, and compassion. How was the innovation planned? Team Nasser’s projects are planned through a structured and collaborative process that blends creativity, community engagement, and youth leadership. Each initiative begins with identifying a social or environmental need within the community, followed by site assessments, design planning, and consultations […]