The Canadian School Bahrain (CSB) is a BC certified offshore school that provides a blended curriculum to meet the subject requirements of the Bahrain Ministry of Education.
Here’s why this school is an excellent choice for students.
The Canadian School Bahrain (CSB) provides a strong foundation in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Arts Education and Physical Education. In keeping with an ever-evolving world, Career Education, Applied Skills Design and Technology and Health are also included as mandatory subjects in the school’s curriculum. Further, the Arabic language studies, Islamic studies, Bahraini Social Studies, and Citizenship classes ensure that students have a well-rounded education that meets their academic needs and prepares them for their future endeavours.
CSB believes that communication is the key to success. Hence, the school has integrated an inquiry-based methodology, which helps students develop their competencies while simultaneously making connections to content. Students use their English and Arabic language skills in various subjects while teachers work diligently to ensure that students have the skills they need to communicate effectively, in both verbal and written English and Arabic languages.
In 2022-2023, CSB opened its new building with state-of-the-art facilities that provide its students with the best learning environment possible. The new building houses 45 classrooms, three science labs, a second library, a multipurpose hall, and a prayer room. The school also has a new outdoor arena that includes two Padel courts, and a second football field. CSB has expressed its commitment to continue to providing the best possible facilities for its students.
Much to the delight of students and parents alike, CSB provides a holistic education, and its after-school programmes play an integral part in its curriculum. The school offers a range of interesting clubs and activities including STEM, Arts and Crafts, French, Cooking, Animal Rescue, Padel, Basketball, and Football. These clubs nurture students' curiosity, critical and creative thinking, enable them to collaborate, and foster their understanding of personal and social responsibility. The goal is to ensure that graduates leave the school with strong moral values, confidence in themselves and in their culture, and respecting others, themselves, and their environment.
The BC Core Competencies are at the heart of all that is done at CSB. As educators, the school focuses on nurturing students' curiosity, critical thinking, communication, creativity, and collaboration. Its students are encouraged to question, discuss and take ownership of their learning as the school intends for them to become pioneers of change, who will create a better future for themselves and the world around them.
Canadian School Bahrain is committed to providing an excellent education to its students, preparing them to be successful in their future endeavours. The school’s teachers, administrators, and staff work hard to create an environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and personally. If you are looking for a school that values holistic education and promotes critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration, then Canadian School Bahrain is the right choice for you.
Fostering a Love of Learning at CSB
The Canadian School Bahrain (CSB), which opened its doors in 2019, has carved a unique space in the Kingdom’s highly-competitive education sector with its focus on fostering a lifelong love of learning through its British Columbia Canada curriculum.
Bahrain This Month visited CSB’s state-of-the-art campus in Diyar Al Muharraq and spoke with Principal, Abby Saadeh, about the school’s goals and approach to education.
The Canadian School Bahrain offers a British Columbia Canada curriculum. This programme offers a balanced, inquiry-based approach, based on the Core Competencies which are Communication, Collaboration, Critical and Creative Thinking, and Personal and Social Responsibility.
“Whilst the world is advancing at a rapid rate, education is doing so at a much slower pace than other industries,” argues Ms. Saadeh. “Any child can use the Internet to find the information they need, and while content and knowledge are important, it’s not the sole focus. Our objective is to improve competency so that our students graduate with skills, can problem solve, and think critically in any career they choose to pursue.
“It is also cross-curricular, which means we’re not just teaching by subject, because the world doesn’t work in subjects and we’re trying to move away from a categorised education. We’ve adapted so that any topic can be taught at any time.”
One of the school’s main founding goals was to ensure that it catered to the Bahraini community in the area whilst offering high-level education. Approximately 70 percent of CSB’s students are Bahraini, with the rest being from neighbouring Middle Eastern countries mixed with some from North America, Europe and the Far East.
For this reason, it has a blended and integrated approach with both Arabic and English programmes. The school offers Arabic Language Studies, Islamic Studies, and Bahraini Citizenship and Social Studies to complement hands-on holistic learning.
This is the first academic year since CSB opened in 2019 that hasn’t been affected in some way by COVID-19, and Ms. Saadeh believes that the school is now flourishing at its intended capacity.
“We did adapt to the challenges of the pandemic, but I must say it’s great to be running at full capacity and using our outstanding facilities which we couldn’t use before, such as the library, swimming pool, gymnasium, art room, music room and more.
“The school currently operates from Pre-School to Grade 8, and this September we’ll be opening up Grade 9. Within the next five years, we’ll be adding year-on-year up to a full high school capacity, right through to Grade 12.”
CSB’s graduation programme is currently under development and all students who graduate will receive their British Columbia Dogwood Diploma. This is the same as any pupil in Canada would receive upon finishing high school and it opens doors to any university in the world.
Furthermore, assessment methods such as exams are treated differently at CSB than traditional approaches, whilst the use of technology is also managed circumstantially.
“Moreover, technology is only used in meaningful ways. For example, if it can enhance students’ abilities or skills then it will be used in the classroom, but if it’s simply replacing books with tablets, it isn’t a significant use.”
