Bahrain Mirror: The House of Representatives rejected a bill to impose BD 400 annual fees on non-Bahraini pupils who're studying in public schools considering it as a deprivation of one of children's essential rights.

MP Jalal Kadhim who suggested the bill defended it, stressing that the priority of free education should be given to Bahraini citizens and that a lot of Bahrainis are leaving the public schools due to the high pressure on them.

He reiterated the words of Education Minister who said in previous statements that each pupil in public schools annually costs the state a total of BD 3,000 and that there are 17, 700 foreign students enrolled in public schools. This means that these students cost the government more than BD 52 million.

Other MPs rejected the bill.  MP Ali Bufarsen said education is a right to everyone and that without education, illiteracy and drugs would spread.

MP Mohammed Al-Maarifi said that this bill violates international agreements which Bahrain is committed to before the world, warning that not enrolling expats in schools would have negative effect on the Kingdom, as these children will be on streets if not embraced by schools.

Arabic Version