Manama: Bahrain is planning to review its school curricula to boost critical thinking and argument aptitudes.
Meeting education experts, Majed Al Nuaimi, the education minister, on Sunday called for the formation of an ad-hoc commission that will reassess all school courses to promote critical thinking, tolerance, dialogue capabilities, problem-solving and respect for other opinions.
The ministry’s experts will work with teams from international education powerhouses and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) in reassessing the existing courses and in drawing out new curricula, the minister said.
Bahrain has been pushing for higher education standards and better learning skills in line with a drive to integrate the latest developments and international best practices, education ministry officials have said. However, the ministry will have to overcome pressure from segments of the society who have resisted several of its moves.
The ministry has lately come under heavy attack from parents who have rejected a drive to extend the school day by 90 minutes, arguing that it would not be beneficial for the students. However, the ministry said that it was moving ahead with the extension following the mid-year break in February, arguing that it would help students with their courses.
