Bahrain’s Teachers: A Story of Struggle Against Injustice
World Teachers’ Day, celebrated annually on the 5th of October since its inception in 1994, represents a key occasion to honor teachers around the globe. It commemorates the joint 1966 UNESCO and International Labour Organization (ILO) Recommendation, which affirmed the vital role of teachers as the backbone of development and the builders of future generations.
On this day, the world recognizes the immense responsibilities shouldered by teachers, the hardships they endure to spread the light of knowledge, and the necessity of safeguarding their rights — the foundation for a brighter future for all.
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The Suffering of Bahraini Teachers: From Dismissal to Imprisonment
In Bahrain, a nation with a rich history and ancient civilizations, the struggle of teachers has transcended the classroom walls to reach the confines of prison cells. Following the February 14, 2011 uprising — when the people raised their voices demanding the right to self-determination — the Al Khalifa regime responded with repression, directly targeting teachers.
More than 100 teachers, both men and women, were arrested; most were later released, but some remain behind bars on politically motivated charges. In addition, hundreds of educators were dismissed from their jobs for participating in strikes during the State of National Safety declared in March 2011.
The professional IDs of some of these teachers still stand as witnesses to the rights that were stripped away — they were uprooted from their professions simply for peacefully opposing oppression. These repressive policies have turned the teaching profession in Bahrain into a symbol of struggle and defiance, where education itself has become a weapon of resistance.
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Marginalization of Talent and Silencing of Free Voices
Alongside these injustices, Bahrain’s educational sector has faced harsh measures aimed at marginalizing national talent within the teaching profession. Since the dissolution of the Bahrain Teachers’ Society in April 2011 — which once represented the voice of educators — teachers have found themselves without any protective body to defend their rights or champion their causes.
Instead of supporting qualified national educators, the regime has opted to recruit teachers from abroad, adding economic and social burdens that have exacerbated unemployment among capable Bahraini youth. This approach entrenches discriminatory policies against citizens and undermines local participation in vital sectors.
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A Stand on World Teachers’ Day
In Bahrain, World Teachers’ Day is not merely a celebration of education — it is a moment to cast light on the shadows of repression that still loom over teachers who dared to stand up to tyranny and remained steadfast in their principles.
Bahraini teachers are not just conveyors of knowledge; they are symbols of resilience in the face of injustice. Their steadfastness has proven that their determination is stronger than the chains of exclusion and oppression.
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A Message of Hope
To the teachers of Bahrain: your endurance is a beacon of freedom. The pens with which you write knowledge will forever testify to the nobility of your cause. The day will come when your rights blossom and your sacrifices are honored — not only for the generations you have educated but for the future of justice and liberty you have helped shape.
You are the hope from which Bahrain draws its spirit, and your struggle will remain etched in the memory of a nation that yearns for freedom.
