Government schools in Bahrain support children with special needs free of charge. The Ministry of Education's Special Educational Needs Center runs this work.
How children are taught
- Some children are taught in mainstream classes alongside other pupils (inclusive education).
- Others go to remedial classes for learning difficulties, mild intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorders.
- The Special Educational Needs Center also runs a learning difficulties programme and a programme for mild intellectual disability and Down syndrome.
Support services
- Assessment and diagnosis of a child's needs.
- Separate rooms during exams.
- Braille textbooks for visually impaired pupils, and some science lessons adapted for blind pupils.
- Support teachers for blind pupils in mainstream schools.
- Speech and language therapy sessions.
- Buses with lifts for pupils with physical disabilities.
- University sponsorship for eligible students.
How to start
Talk to your child's government school, or the school you are applying to, about an assessment. The school works with the Special Educational Needs Center on placement and support.
What people miss
This free support is for government schools. Private schools set their own special-needs provision and fees, so ask each school directly.
Steps
- Speak to your child's government school about your concerns.
- Ask for an assessment through the school and the Special Educational Needs Center.
- Agree on placement (mainstream with support or remedial class) and support services.