Media-education reform plan hailed in Bahrain

THE National Commission implementing Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) recommendations yesterday hailed steps taken to reform the media and education sectors, describing them as important initiatives to bolster national unity. This came as Shura Council and panel chairman Ali Saleh Al Saleh presided over a meeting to review government procedures to carry out BICI proposals. He urged all parties to join ranks to rebuild bridges of confidence. Mr Al Saleh said the government's plan referred to the panel to reform the information sector was in conformity with BICI recommendation. It was drafted taking into account proposals by French media experts to reduce censorship and launch programmes to boost people's participation. The roadmap stipulates the establishment of a supreme information council and an institute to train journalists and telecommunications specialists in addition to unification of media laws. It suggests the establishment of a media city to attract foreign and Arab radio and TV companies and stresses co-operation with the private sector to pave the way for private satellite channels. The panel welcomed the signing of a memorandum between the Education Ministry and the Unesco to reform school curricula. It stressed the importance of designing primary, secondary and university programmes to promote religious and political tolerance in particular and bolster human rights, the rule of law and respect for educational institutions. The panel also suggested a review of citizenship and social education curricula, stressing that Bahraini specialists should be commissioned, backed by Arab and international experts, to design syllabi based on citizenship to promote respect for opinions of others amongst youngsters. It recommended a code of conduct based on global standards and practice to set criteria governing the education sector and its relation with other social segments.