اخبار البحرين – وطن نيوز
W6nnews.com ==== وطن === تاريخ النشر – 2026-02-14 01:28:00
D. Asmaa Khalid* Issa Al-Kabeer laid the foundation stone for Al-Hidaya Al-Khalifia and gave it legitimacy and official support * Issa Al-Kabeer’s assignment of Sheikh Abdullah bin Issa to lead the education administration strengthened the process of educational development * Bahrain opened new schools in Manama, Hidd and Riffa during the 1920s * The establishment of Khadija Al-Kubra School in 1928 established Bahrain’s leadership in girls’ education in the Gulf * Al-Hidaya Al-Khalifia in 1919 The first modern regular school in Bahrain at the turn of the century On the twentieth, His Majesty Sheikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa, Ruler of Bahrain and its environs, realized that the Katahib was no longer sufficient to keep pace with the transformations of the times, so he consciously and willingly sided with supporting the shift towards modern formal education, laying the foundation for a new phase in the history of Bahrain. His greatness Sheikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa, ruler of Bahrain and its dependencies, was the leader of a deliberate educational renaissance that moved society from the simplicity of traditional education to an organized institutional horizon, and paved the way for building the modern Bahraini state on the basis of science and knowledge. Education is considered one of the most important pillars upon which the renaissance of societies and the progress of countries is based, as it is closely linked to the formation of the cultural, social and political awareness of individuals. During the era of His Excellency Sheikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa, may God have mercy on him, Bahrain witnessed a pivotal stage in its educational history, as it gradually moved from traditional education to the beginnings of modern formal education. This transformation was not the result of coincidence, but rather came as a result of a conscious reform vision that interacted with favorable political, economic, and cultural conditions, and contributed to laying the first foundations for an educational renaissance that had a profound impact on Bahrain’s modern process. Education in Bahrain before the era of His Eminence Sheikh Isa bin Ali Before His Eminence Sheikh Isa bin Ali assumed power, education in Bahrain was mainly based on books and mosque circles, as it was limited to teaching the Holy Qur’an, the principles of reading and writing, and some issues of jurisprudence and arithmetic. Education took place in a simple environment that lacked organization and clear curricula, and the task of voluntary or mullah education was undertaken. Despite the important role that this educational model played in preserving the religious and linguistic identity of Bahraini society, it was not able to meet the requirements of the era, especially with the increase in contact with the outside world and the development of management and trade patterns, which made the need to develop education urgent at the end of the nineteenth century. – The beginnings of awareness of the importance of developing education during the era of His Excellency Sheikh Isa bin Ali: With the beginning of the era of His Greatness Sheikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa, the features of the transformation in the outlook on education began to gradually take shape, as his rule coincided with a state of political stability and economic prosperity, especially in the pearl trade, in addition to the increase in cultural communication with the centers of intellectual renaissance in the Arab world. Sheikh Issa Al-Kabeer realized the importance of education as an essential means of building an educated society capable of keeping pace with modern developments. His position was positive towards educational innovation, and he was strongly supportive of it, while ensuring that it was consistent with the prevailing religious and social values, which helped society accept the manifestations of modernity. The emergence of modern education in Bahrain. During the reign of His Majesty Sheikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa, Bahrain witnessed the beginnings of modern education, as regular schools appeared that adopted more organized curricula compared to traditional education. These curricula included new subjects such as arithmetic, geography, and history, in addition to teaching the Arabic language in a modern manner. This transformation represented an important step in transferring education from a simple individual nature to an organized institutional framework, and contributed to preparing a new generation with broader knowledge that is compatible with the requirements of the times. The development of education in Bahrain was the result of the interaction of a group of overlapping historical factors that collectively contributed to supporting and enhancing it. The political stability that Bahrain witnessed during the reign of His Majesty Sheikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa provided a safe and appropriate environment for reform, and the policy of balanced openness pursued by the ruler helped him accept aspects of modernization while preserving the social and religious structure of society. The economic prosperity resulting from the pearl trade contributed to providing financial resources that supported emerging educational initiatives and enabled the financing of educational projects. In addition, the social factor played an important role, as parents’ desire to educate their children increased, and awareness of the value of science and its impact on improving social status increased. The cultural factor also had a prominent impact, as the spread of newspapers and books, and the growing communication with cultural and intellectual centers in Egypt, the Levant, and the Arab and Islamic world, contributed to the transmission of reformist ideas to Bahrain, which led to the growth of awareness of the importance of modern education and its necessity to think about establishing modern national schools that take into account the prevailing religious and social values and identity in society and respond at the same time to the requirements of the times. His Excellency Sheikh Isa bin Ali’s patronage of education before 1919. His Excellency Sheikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa’s patronage of education did not begin with the establishment of Al-Hidaya Al-Khalifia School, but was preceded by early educational initiatives, the most notable of which was his support for the Sheikh Ahmed Al-Mahza School in Manama in the late nineteenth century. This school formed a nucleus for formal education, where the Arabic language, arithmetic, jurisprudence, and Islamic legislation were taught, and it contributed to preparing the country to enter the stage of organized modern education. Establishment of Al-Hidaya Al-Khalifia School The establishment of Al-Hidaya Al-Khalifia School in 1919 AD is considered one of the most prominent stations in the history of education in Bahrain, as it represented the first modern, integrated, regular school. Its establishment came as a result of the convergence of the popular will, represented by the initiatives of Bahraini notables and their support, and the political will embodied by the support and encouragement of His Majesty Sheikh Isa bin Ali for the project. His role was not limited to the moral aspect, but rather he gave the school legal status through the founding patent which reads: “In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, from Isa bin Ali, the Caliph, to the honorable honorable people gathered in what pleases the Lord of the Worlds, may the peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you.” As for what follows, I conclude to you my great concern and sincere thanks for your meeting and agreement for the sake of this great charitable work, asking the Almighty God to guide everyone to what pleases Him on the day we meet Him. He is All-Hearing and Answering. May God’s peace, mercy, and blessings be upon you on the 13th of Rabi’ al-Thani 1338 AH (corresponding to January 4, 1920 AD).” His Majesty also accompanied the stages of building the school and followed it with care and attention. He attended the stone-laying ceremony with his Crown Prince Sheikh Hamad and his second son, Sheikh Mohammed. His Majesty approached where the foundation was being laid and placed his blessed hand on the foundation stone and ordered it to be fixed in the ground. He took a little cement with a spoon and placed it between the two stones. This gave the project wide social and religious acceptance, and represented a clear indication of his personal commitment to the modern education project. The historian Al-Nabhani, author of “Al-Tuhfa Al-Nabhaniya,” recorded that occasion by saying, “The rulers and nobles of Bahrain rose up to spread science and knowledge, so they first began establishing scientific schools.” . . . . . They called it Al-Hidaya Schools, and the rulers and notables of the country were present when laying its foundation stone. The first stone laid in its foundation was in the hands of His Majesty, His Highness the Ruler, Sheikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa. Upon the generous commission of His Majesty Sheikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa, his son Sheikh Abdullah bin Isa assumed a pivotal role in the process of transformation of modern education in Bahrain, where he was assigned to chair the Board of Directors of Al-Hidaya Al-Khalifia School, and supervised its management and development. This coincided with the expansion of the establishment of modern schools, as the second Al-Hidaya Al-Khalifia School for Boys was opened in Manama in 1921, and a new school was opened, namely the Hidd School for Boys in 1926 and the Second School for Boys. Eastern Riffa for boys in 1926. In addition, other schools were opened in Manama, including the Al-Mubaraka Al-Alawiya School in 1927 and the Al-Jaafari School in 1928. – Women’s education during the era of His Majesty Sheikh Isa bin Ali: Although girls’ education was not widespread due to prevailing customs and traditions and the belief that girls did not need education, this view began to change gradually with the growing awareness of the importance of women’s education. This transformation represented an important step towards building a more aware society. He realized that educating women contributes to building the family and society alike. The establishment of the Khadija Al-Kubra School in 1928 AD is considered the first notable achievement in this field, as this school is considered the first school for formal public education for girls in Bahrain. It was established during the reign of His Majesty Sheikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa, and at its beginning bore the name Al-Hidaya Al-Khalifia School for Girls. The establishment of this school represented a very important historical event, not only at the level of Bahrain, but at the level of the entire Arabian Gulf region, as through this initiative, Bahrain achieved regional leadership in the field of formal formal education for girls. The school has witnessed a remarkable turnout since its opening, with the number of female students during the first eight months reaching more than one hundred, which reflects the gradual shift in society’s awareness of the importance of girls’ education. After that, girls’ schools were established and developed in various regions of Bahrain, proving that educating girls during the era of His Greatness Sheikh Isa bin Ali was not just an educational step, but rather a profound social and cultural transformation that contributed to reshaping the role of Bahraini women, and paved the way for their active participation in the renaissance of society. – Educational missions and the beginnings of higher education: His greatness Sheikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa’s interest was not limited to education within Bahrain only, but extended to include openness to higher education outside the country. This trend culminated in sending the first Bahraini study abroad in 1928, when a number of students were sent to study at the American University of Beirut. This step represented a qualitative shift in the course of Bahraini education, as it provided students with the opportunity to specialize in modern scientific fields, and contributed to the transfer of academic and intellectual expertise to Bahrain. This mission also represented the beginning of a new approach in preparing qualified national cadres, an approach that continued and expanded in subsequent eras, and contributed to strengthening the process of administrative and cultural modernization in the country. Cultural clubs and their role in supporting education In the early twentieth century, Bahrain witnessed the establishment of a number of cultural and literary clubs that played an important role in revitalizing the intellectual movement and spreading cultural awareness. Such as the Iqbal Awal Club in 1913 and the Muharraq Literary Club in 1920, these clubs contributed to introducing society to intellectual and reform developments in the Arab and Islamic world, and formed spaces for dialogue and exchange of ideas, which indirectly supported the process of modern education. Pioneers of the educational and national movement: During the reign of His Majesty Sheikh Isa bin Ali, a number of scholars and educated teachers emerged who played a prominent role in spreading science and developing education. Among them was Mr. Abdul Wahab bin Haji Al Zayani, who had a role in recruiting teachers, Sheikh Qasim bin Muhaza, who announced his support for education and his donation to support it, Sheikh Ibrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, who was Vice President of the Charitable Administration for Education and one of the most prominent literary figures in Bahrain, and Mr. Mohammed Khonji, who was the clerk of the Charitable Administration for Education, and Mr. Yousef Fakhro, who was the Secretary of the Administration, and other pioneers of the educational movement. The educational renaissance was linked to the national movement, as education contributed to the development of political and social awareness, which indicates the close connection between education and building national awareness. – The effects of the development of education during the era of His Greatness Sheikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa: The development of education during the era of His Greatness Sheikh Isa bin Ali contributed to raising the level of societal awareness and the emergence of an educated class that participated in public life. Modern education also helped prepare national cadres to work in the fields of administration, education, and the judiciary, and contributed to paving the way for the comprehensive modernization process that Bahrain witnessed in later eras. It can be said that the era of His Greatness Sheikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa constituted a pivotal stage in the history of education in Bahrain, and despite the challenges that faced modern education in Bahrain in its beginnings, including limited financial capabilities and a lack of educational personnel, nevertheless, thanks to the wise political will and popular support, Bahrain was able to achieve great progress in the field of education, and these difficulties were gradually overcome as the country moved during his reign from traditional education to modern formal education within the framework of a rational policy based on Graduation and balance between originality and innovation. The reformist vision of His Majesty Sheikh Isa bin Isa Al Khalifa, along with the efforts of educational pioneers, scholars, and intellectuals, contributed to laying the foundations for a solid educational renaissance that had a profound impact on building the modern Bahraini state.* Researcher in history and academic.
