3 years ago

Bahrain Education: A Brief History Since 1919

Quranic Schools, or Kuttab, were the only form of education in Bahrain during the beginning of this century. These are schools based on the teachings of the Holy Quran, the youth would be taught to read and understand the scriptures. Parents who could afford to fund their children’s studies often sent them to schools in Bombay or Baghdad. Families of a predominately religious background often sent their children to religious institutions in the region, to madrasas in Mecca and Al-Hasa in mainland Arabia for Sunni students and to Najaf and Karbala for Shia students. After the First World War, Bahrain became more open to influence from the western world. The people felt that the Quranic Schools did not fulfill the academic needs of the youth, and thus the future of Bahrain, for a rapidly evolving world. The war has also brought political and social changes within the country, causing the rise of social and cultural awareness among the people. A demand for modern educational institutions was asked. Prominent citizens discussed and agreed to establish a modern formal school, in terms of system, curricula, and objectives. The Bahrain royal family also endorsed and sponsored the establishment of these institutions. The year […]