The International Baccalaureate (IB) is pleased to announce the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Education (MoE) of the Kingdom of Bahrain, marking a significant milestone in the development of international education in the country. The agreement will see the introduction of IB programmes in public schools in Bahrain for the first time, with the number of IB schools increasing from 16 to 32.
The partnership was formalised on 15 February 2026, during a signing ceremony attended by senior representatives from both parties – including IB Director General Olli-Pekka Heinonen and His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Bin Mubarak Juma, the Minister of Education of the Kingdom of Bahrain – as part of the IB delegation’s official visit.
Under the agreement, the IB and the Ministry of Education will collaborate on the implementation of the Diploma Programme (DP) and the Middle Years Programme (MYP) across 16 public schools – eight offering the DP and eight offering the MYP – representing a major step forward in expanding access to high-quality international education within Bahrain’s public school system.
The MoU reflects a shared commitment to developing students who are inquisitive, knowledgeable, compassionate, and prepared to engage thoughtfully with an increasingly complex and interconnected world. It also aligns with Bahrain’s national education strategy to enhance quality, innovation, and international benchmarking across its public schools.
During the visit, a reception in honour of Mr. Heinonen was organised by the Bahrain IB World Schools Association and Bahrain Bayan School. The event brought together parents, students, alumni, coordinators and heads of schools and featured remarks from Mr. Heinonen and Mr. Medhat Merabi, Director of the Association, followed by a panel discussion on the future of education. The discussion explored global education trends, the role of technology and artificial intelligence in learning, and how international standards can be adapted to the Bahraini context.
The agreement also paves the way for ongoing cooperation in areas such as strategic planning, professional dialogue, and long-term educational growth, supporting sustainable implementation of IB programmes across the public sector.
Olli-Pekka Heinonen, IB Director General: “This partnership is about developing inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring learners – young people prepared to navigate a complex, interconnected world. This new agreement reflects a shared commitment between the IB and Bahrain’s Ministry of Education to explore how IB programmes can support quality, internationally benchmarked learning within Bahrain’s public education system. The IB brings global standards and experience, always with deep respect for local context, culture, and national education goals.”
The IB has a long history of working with governments worldwide to support system-wide educational transformation. This new partnership with Bahrain’s Ministry of Education underscores the growing role of public education systems in advancing internationally minded learning for all students.
 is pleased to announce the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Education (MoE) of the Kingdom of Bahrain, marking a significant milestone in the development of international education in the country. The agreement will see the introduction of IB programmes in public schools in Bahrain for the first time, with the number of IB schools increasing from 16 to 32.){kind=icon}