Manama: A girls' elementary school in the west of Bahrain was targeted in the 25th arson attack on a learning institution in four months, the education ministry said.

"The fire was started near the Shahrakan elementary girls' school electricity room," the ministry said. "However, the school guards were able to put it out before it spread to the room. It is obvious that the arson attempt is part of the repeated attacks on schools."

No-one has ever publicly claimed the attacks and the ministry invariably attributes them to "vandals", but without specifications.