Examples of National Initiatives Supporting the Achievement of this Goal
International Baccalaureate (IB) Integration in Public Schools
The Kingdom of Bahrain expanded access to international education in public schools by introducing the International Baccalaureate (IB) program into its education system in 2026, providing students with access to one of the world’s leading internationally recognized educational programmes, previously offered exclusively in private schools. This initiative forms part of the Ministry of Education’s efforts to enhance the quality and global competitiveness of public education by fostering critical thinking, independent learning, and academic readiness. It also aims to broaden students’ opportunities to pursue higher education at leading universities locally and internationally, supporting the Kingdom’s vision of modernizing education and preparing students for success in a knowledge-based economy.
Introducing the “Gaming 100” Course to Develop Digital and Creative Skills
The Kingdom of Bahrain continues to advance its education system and develop students’ digital and creative skills in line with the evolving demands of the digital economy. In February 2026, the Ministry of Education introduced the “Gaming 100” course for all secondary school students in public schools. The course aims to transform digital gaming from a recreational activity into a structured academic subject through five educational modules covering the foundations of the gaming industry, game design and development, societal impact, and career pathways. By fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation, the curriculum aims to empower students to transition from technology consumers to innovators and creators of digital content.
Strengthening Regulatory Frameworks and Quality in Early Childhood Education
The Kingdom of Bahrain continues to advance its early childhood education system as a foundation for quality education. In 2024, the Ministry of Education launched the Early Childhood Education Regulatory Framework and the National Curriculum Framework for Early Childhood Education, establishing policies governing early education, core competencies, and developmental learning outcomes for children from birth to pre-primary education. Building on these efforts, the Education and Training Quality Authority (BQA) introduced the Kindergarten Performance Review Framework in 2025, positioning Bahrain among the few countries in the region to implement a specialized national framework for assessing and ensuring the quality of early childhood education.
Promoting Lifelong Learning and Developing National Skills and Capabilities
The Kingdom of Bahrain continues to promote lifelong learning opportunities and strengthen the capabilities of its national workforce across different career stages through a comprehensive range of training and development programmes aligned with labour market needs and professional advancement. In this context, the Labour Fund (Tamkeen) offers specialized programmes to develop technical and future-oriented skills, including an artificial intelligence training program targeting 50,000 Bahrainis by 2030. The Bahrain Institute of Public Administration (BIPA) also contributes to these efforts through the National Government Leadership Development Programme, which aims to equip government employees at various career levels with essential leadership skills and capabilities, enhancing human capital efficiency and readiness for future demands.
Preparing Teaching Professionals in Line with International Standards
The Kingdom of Bahrain continues to invest in preparing and developing teaching professionals in line with international standards through the Mohammed Jaber Al Ansari Teachers College, established in 2008. The college adopts an educational approach that combines academic study with practical field training across different educational levels. In 2023, the college received international accreditation for seven years, the maximum accreditation period, from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) in the United States. The World Bank also highlighted the college in its May 2026 report as an international model for teacher preparation, reflecting the quality of its programmes and its role in advancing the national education system.