Manama, Jan. 28 (BNA): The Ministry of Education hosted the Bahrain First Festival 2026 at Bahrain National Stadium, which His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa attended.
HM King attends Bahrain First Festival 2026
Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak Juma, Minister of Education, and several ministry staff welcomed His Majesty upon his arrival. His Majesty was greeted by the approximately 30,000 students from public and private schools who were present at the festival.
Following the playing of the national anthem, student Khalid Abdulghani Humood of Al Muharraq Secondary Boys School recited passages from the Holy Quran.
After after, the Minister of Education gave a speech in which he thanked His Majesty for supporting the Bahrain First Festival 2026. He emphasized the role of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, in promoting the advancement of education and related development initiatives, as well as the support given to the education sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
In the Microsoft Showcase Schools program’s 2025 cycle, which had participation from over 60 nations, the minister stated that the Ministry of Education won first place worldwide for the first time because to this support. He also highlighted the Higher Education Council’s achievements, including the University of Bahrain’s first-ever inclusion in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (THE) since its founding in 1986 as the first national university to do so.
The minister also cited a World Bank report from October 2025 that praised the Mohammed Jaber Al Ansari Teachers College’s contribution and the caliber of its academic programs designed to prepare Bahraini teachers in accordance with top international standards. Additionally, the Arab Government Excellence Award for finest educational project went to the Ministry of Education.
The Minister of Education reaffirmed the ministry’s dedication to improving the educational system and raising the caliber of its results at the end of his address.
His Majesty the King was then given a commemorative gift by members of the cabinet.
After that, His Majesty the King welcomed the return of the “Bahrain First” event in an address to educators, parents, and students. His Majesty emphasized that the country demands the best effort from all of its citizens and stated that the students’ participation reflects their sense of patriotism and commitment to the Kingdom of Bahrain.
His Majesty the King urged continuous commitment to support Bahrain’s growth through knowledge and learning and commended people in the education sector on their accomplishments, both individual and institutional. His Majesty urged people to keep working to strengthen Bahrain’s rich history and its established position as a center for culture and education.
The first girls’ school was established in 1928, and Bahrain will shortly celebrate the centennial of formal government education for girls, according to His Majesty the King. His Majesty ordered that sufficient preparations be made for this national event in order to acknowledge the importance of women in education and the advancement of society.
In addition, His Majesty the King praised educators for their role in advancing humankind and referred to them as the real capital of countries striving for prosperity, security, and stability. His Majesty also wished everyone well and declared that Sunday of next week will be a holiday for pupils.
About 4,000 male and female students participated in the Bahrain First operetta, which was created and performed by the Ministry of Education. There were several musical and artistic parts in the operetta.
His Majesty received the same cordial welcome upon arriving as he was bid farewell at the end of the event.
The Minister of Education expressed gratitude for His Majesty’s order to get ready for the centennial commemoration of the beginning of formal government education for girls, stating that the ministry would start the necessary preparations right away in honor of Bahraini women and their generations-long contributions to education.
