Bahrain’s government spends up to BD24,600 per student over a 12-year education cycle, it has been revealed.
Education Minister Dr Mohammed Mubarak Juma told MPs yesterday that the annual cost of educating a student in government schools is BD1,770.71, bringing the total to BD21,248.48 over 12 years.
He highlighted the three different methodologies adopted by the ministry to calculate the cost per student, depending on the scope of expenditure.
“The first mechanism, which the ministry currently adopts, calculates only the amounts spent directly on items and services that are closely related to the student,” Dr Juma explained. “Under this approach, the annual cost is BD1,770.71.”
He noted that when operational costs are added under the second mechanism, the figure rises to nearly BD1,800 per year, exceeding BD22,000 over 12 years.
“In the third calculation method, all education budget items are included, such as school construction and maintenance,” the minister said. “In this case, the cost per student reaches BD2,000 annually, amounting to approximately BD24,600 over a 12-year education cycle.”
