Private schools in Bahrain have been ordered not to increase students' fees or implement new ones without official approval.

Schools are also bound to submit their real budget statement from the start of the scholastic year before contemplating any unilateral rise in fees.

Raising extra contingent fees to fund school activities without prior approval is banned.

Education Minister Dr Majid Al Nuaimi issued directives to tighten control on private school fee-paying systems.

'The aim is to secure affordable fees for parents and strike a better balance between schools' means and educational standards,' said a ministry statement.

The minister also banned schools from fining students on behavioural grounds, describing the measure as illegal and uneducational.

Schools flouting the rules and regulations will be held accountable legally, and may have their licences revoked.

Private schools will also be bound to submit an official half-year report on students' results.

Private Education Directorate officials have also been instructed to follow up parents' complaints and seek answers from respective schools.

The ministry has also announced that visits to private schools would continue till the end of the scholastic year.

The minister based his directives on reports submitted by a panel in charge of evaluating private schools for the ministry to ensure follow up and legal compliance.

The assessment covered three main segments - teaching performance, administration and overall organisation.

All private schools will be sent a circular urging full compliance with the law 25 for 1998 on private schools and training institutions in addition to law 27 for 2005 on education.

The circular will also cover other key issues, particular school curriculum, exams, teaching supervision and students' behaviour.-TradeArabia News Service