Manama, Asharq Al-Awsat- For the first time since the beginning of national education in 191, the Parliament in Bahrain has approved a law on education that states that depriving a child from their right to education is “a violation punishable by law.” The law thereby seeks to protect the human rights of Bahrain ’s citizens. In addition, it promotes religious tolerance and implies an upcoming change in the Kingdom’s educational curricula to end religious fanaticism and reaffirm the respect of all sects and religions.

The two Chambers of Parliament, the Shura (Consultative) Council and the National Assembly, approved the law after three years of debate. It is expected the draft law will be referred to King Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa for final approval.

In this respect, Bahrain ’s Minister of Education, Professor Majid al Nuaimi told Asharq Al Awsat the authorities had refused the suggestion to teach the five schools of Islamic thought (Shafii, Maliki, Hanbali, Hanafi, and Shia) in public schools, as some had demanded. He believed the current religious syllabus covered Islamic principles and values without too much unnecessary detail, adding that, “whoever wants to study the Sunni or Shia doctrines can join our specialized Sunni or Jaafari religious institutes.”