The extended school day will officially take effect today (February 12) in Bahrain. More than 30,000 students will go back to their secondary schools to have a first taste of the new scheme.

Under the new-look format, the normal day in secondary schools will be extended by 45 minutes, to end at 2.15pm instead of 1.30pm.

"The extended school day will benefit students, the educational march and the future of Bahrain, bringing the actual hours of education to 785 a year from the current 635, an additional 15 hours per month," said Education Minister Dr Majid Al Nuaimi. – TradeArabia News Service