2,653 students join vocational apprenticeship system

Manama : Education Minister Dr. Majid bin Ali Al Noaimi said 2,653 students - namely schoolboys and schoolgirls who graduated from intermediate schools - have joined the advanced "vocational apprenticeship" system.

The newly-introduced educational system has attracted large numbers of students in the light of development strides adopted by the ministry including the launching of the unified academic route besides new specialisations apart from parents awareness of the important close correlation between technical and vocational education and labour market requirements.

Last year, the ministry launched the unified route in commercial and technical (industrial) schools aimed to enable students to enjoy the benefit of both previously applicable "advanced" and "specialized" routes.

This step boosted the practical skills in students and ensured their obtaining more knowledge in the applied aspects. The ministry offers several new specialisations with focus on the expansion of technical and vocational education for schoolgirls to ensure equal opportunities for both genders, including the specialization of "medical equipment maintenance" which has been applied successfully since last year.

The ministry also introduced new specialisations for schoolboys, including "retail trade" and "diesel engines".