More than 5,000 school students have suffered psychological trauma because of a spate of vandalism and sabotage in Bahrain, said a senior government official.

A total of 84 public schools have been targeted since the beginning of the academic year, revealed Education Minister Dr Majid Al Nuaimi.

Saboteurs have orchestrated a campaign of terror - hurling Molotov cocktails, starting fires, destroying facilities, stealing equipment and defacing walls with graffiti.

Dr Al Nuaimi warned against the detrimental impact of such violence on school performance.

He was speaking as he met members of parents' councils.

He revealed that 5,171 students suffered psychological trauma at the height of the unrest, particularly between February 20 and March 22 last year. The ministry also surveyed 58 public school students, who suffered physical harm during the period.

Dr Al Nuaimi pledged his ministry's resolve to protect schools and ensure that students can learn in a secure environment. – TradeArabia News Service