The right to education is not only a fundamental human right but a critical means of achieving social equality, fostering understanding, and advancing human dignity. It is protected in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and numerous international agreements, including the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. Unfortunately, in Bahrain, the right to education has been systematically undermined by state policies that promote discrimination, repression, and distortion of historical truths.
The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) has documented with great concern how Bahrain’s education system has become a tool for reinforcing sectarian divisions, silencing dissent, and erasing important aspects of the nation’s diverse history. From the discriminatory allocation of scholarships to the criminalization of educators, the exclusion of minority voices, the imposition of sectarian teachings, and the deliberate alteration of historical narratives, the Bahraini education system has fallen short of its duty to promote inclusivity, critical thought, and respect for human rights.
Discrimination in Scholarships
One of the most flagrant examples of discrimination in Bahrain’s education system is the unequal distribution of scholarships. Scholarship opportunities in Bahrain have historically been granted based on political allegiance, sectarian affiliation, and proximity to the ruling regime. Those who dissent or voice opposition to the government, particularly from marginalized groups such as the Shia population, have faced systemic exclusion from educational opportunities that would allow them to further their academic and professional careers. In many cases, scholarships have been denied to students based on their perceived loyalty to the government or their political affiliation.
This practice is particularly evident in how the authorities have treated students and individuals who have been critical of the government or involved in activism, particularly from the Shia community, which constitutes the majority of Bahrain’s population. Denying these students access to higher education not only violates their right to education but also perpetuates a cycle of inequality and social exclusion.
The Arrest of Teachers in 2011
The government’s crackdown on freedom of expression has directly impacted educators in Bahrain, particularly following the 2011 pro-democracy protests. During this period, many teachers who participated in peaceful demonstrations or expressed support for political reforms were arrested, detained, and subjected to harassment and intimidation. The arrest of teachers in 2011 was a clear message from the government to the academic community: dissent would not be tolerated.
Teachers, as those responsible for shaping young minds, should be free to impart knowledge without fear of retaliation. However, in Bahrain, many educators have been silenced or punished for their beliefs, and this has had a chilling effect on the education system. Rather than being places of intellectual freedom, many schools in Bahrain have become environments of fear, where educators must tread carefully to avoid being accused of disloyalty or incitement against the government.
Discrimination in Religious Studies
Another deeply concerning aspect of Bahrain’s education system is the state-imposed religious curriculum, which focuses exclusively on one sectarian view and forces all students, regardless of their religious beliefs, to study it. In a country as religiously diverse as Bahrain, where both Shia and Sunni communities coexist alongside Christians, Jews, and other minorities, the forced imposition of a single religious doctrine undermines the values of pluralism and tolerance.
Religious studies in Bahrain’s schools have historically been designed to promote sectarianism rather than interfaith understanding, and the government continues to force all students to study a curriculum that represents only one sectarian perspective. This discriminatory approach alienates non-Sunni students and forces them to adopt views that are not in line with their own beliefs, leading to deep social divides. Such forced religious teachings have further exacerbated sectarian tensions in the country, which undermines national unity and cohesion.
Erasing and Falsifying History
Perhaps one of the most disturbing trends in Bahrain’s education system is the deliberate erasure and falsification of history, particularly with regard to the country’s pre-modern history and the erasure of the Shiite presence in Bahrain prior to the establishment of the modern nation-state. This revision of historical narratives has been systematically used by the Bahraini authorities to promote a selective and state-approved version of history that serves the regime’s political interests.
Bahrain’s rich cultural heritage, including its historical significance as a center for Shia Islam, is conspicuously absent from textbooks and curricula. The state’s actions reflect a deliberate attempt to erase the Shiite presence in Bahrain’s past, rewriting the history of the country to downplay the contributions of the Shia population and present a distorted version of national history that ignores the experiences of the majority. This is not only an attack on history but a direct assault on the identity of the Shiite community, denying future generations a complete and honest understanding of their roots.
The erasure of Shiite history is particularly harmful, as it perpetuates a narrative of division, marginalization, and exclusion. By removing Shiite cultural, social, and historical contributions from textbooks, the Bahraini government sends the message that the Shia community’s role in the development of the country is less important or even illegitimate. This form of cultural erasure has long-term consequences, as it further entrenches sectarian divides and fosters resentment among those who are systematically excluded from the national story.
Recommendations
- Restoration of Equity in Scholarship Allocation: The Bahraini government should ensure that scholarships are granted based on merit, not political or sectarian affiliation. Access to education should be open to all, regardless of political views or religious background. Transparent and fair processes for scholarship allocation must be established to eliminate discrimination and provide equal opportunities for all students.
- Protection of Educators’ Rights: The government must cease its practices of arresting and intimidating educators who express political views or engage in peaceful protest. Teachers should be guaranteed the freedom to teach without fear of retribution. The government must respect the rights of teachers and ensure their protection in the face of political pressure.
- Revamping the Religious Curriculum: Bahrain’s education system must be reformed to include diverse religious teachings and to promote interfaith understanding. Rather than forcing all students to study one sectarian perspective, the curriculum should respect the religious diversity of the country and allow students to explore a variety of religious beliefs and practices.
- Restoration of Historical Accuracy: Bahrain’s history must be taught in an honest and inclusive manner, which includes the contributions of the Shia community and accurately represents the country’s historical and cultural diversity. The government should restore the erased elements of Bahrain’s pre-modern history, including the presence of the Shia population, and ensure that textbooks reflect an accurate and comprehensive account of the nation’s past.
- Guaranteeing Freedom of Thought and Expression: The Bahraini government must guarantee the freedom of thought, expression, and academic inquiry. Educational institutions should be places of critical thinking and debate, where diverse opinions are welcomed, and where students are encouraged to question, explore, and learn in an open and democratic environment.
- International Oversight and Accountability: International bodies, including the United Nations and human rights organizations, must monitor Bahrain’s educational system to ensure that it meets international standards of human rights and education. The international community must hold Bahrain accountable for violations of the right to education and the manipulation of its education system for political ends.
The Bahrain Center for Human Rights calls on the Bahraini government to cease its discriminatory practices within the education system and to ensure that all students are given equal opportunities for education, free from political, sectarian, and ideological bias. The government must restore historical truths, respect religious diversity, and protect the rights of educators and students alike. Only through such reforms can Bahrain build an education system that fosters inclusivity, tolerance, and respect for human rights, creating a future where all individuals, regardless of their background, have the opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute to society.