A new science park could be built in Bahrain as part of futuristic plans to strengthen education.

The park would be open to students and the general public, to stimulate interest in science and technology.

It has been proposed by the Education Ministry's newly formed scientific research directorate.

The directorate's vision is to make scientific research an integral part of education and the curriculum in Bahrain, said a report from the ministry.

It is also working to create research centres in all higher education institutions, since science and technology are the cornerstones of development and progress, the ministry observed.

The directorate is currently drafting a project for basic education cycles to develop students' skills in scientific research methods.

Moves to introduce hi-tech education in all of Bahrain's schools, at all levels, should be completed by next year, the ministry added.

The King Hamad Schools of the Future Project involves introducing computer education in all schools, with special laboratories, to bring children up to speed with global technology developments.

The aim is for children to be able to use computers as a learning resource, tapping into information sites of the Internet.

Plans also include cyber classes, through which pupils will be able to contact teachers and each other via the Internet, in a shared-learning project.

The scheme is now in its second phase and includes 52 schools (22 secondary and 30 preparatory), it said.

It will be expanded to include all schools at all academic levels in Bahrain by the end of next year.

Bahrain is leading the Arab world in the global 'Education For All' campaign, the minisstry noted.

Education is now compulsory for children aged six to 15 and the country has achieved a 100 per cent absorption rate at primary-school level.

'This achievement corresponds to a large extent with the provisions of the proposed Literacy and Adult Education agreement adopted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation,' it said.

'Among the most prominent efforts made by the Education Ministry in the last several years has been to secure the right to education for all and to achieve what has been stipulated by the country's constitution, (the Education Act which was passed on August 15, 2005), which says that 'education is a right guaranteed to all citizens of the Kingdom'

'Additionally, the constitution stipulates compulsory education and Bahrain's commitment to provide education for all children who have reached the age of six years.

'As a result of these efforts, enrolment of students at all academic levels in recent years has risen by 11.2 per cent and the net absorption rate at primary level reached 100 per cent.

'This increase reflects positively on the efforts to spread education across Bahrain and to create educational opportunities for all.

'This success rate also hopes to help the country meet its Millennium Development Goals as well as many of its educational targets for all within the envisioned time period of 2015, by giving all children access to primary, compulsory and high-quality education, free of charge.'-TradeArabia News Service