Bahrain’s Ministry of Education just rolled out a new code of conduct, and it’s making big waves in public schools across the Kingdom.

The headline? Bullying, whether in person or online, can now land students a suspension.

But don’t worry, this isn’t about punishment for punishment’s sake…it’s part of a bigger push to create safer, more respectful school environments for everyone.

So, what’s new?

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Under the updated rules from Education Minister Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak Juma, students in all public school year groups can be suspended for up to three days for serious misbehavior—including bullying.

Private schools are not included in this new code.

Here’s the catch: if a student gets suspended, schools are required to make up for the missed lessons

That means learning continues—whether through homework, makeup classes, or extra assignments. No free passes here!

Students must keep note of the four levels of misbehavior

The new code neatly sorts student offenses into four tiers—from minor slip-ups to major infractions. Here’s how it breaks down:

Tier 1: Minor Mistakes

• Think: showing up late, not wearing the uniform, or skipping class.
• These might earn you a warning, a chat with your parents, or a little extra homework.

Tier 2: Mid-Level Mayhem

• This includes verbal abuse, ditching school, smoking, or bringing banned gadgets.
• Penalties here are tougher—and can involve restricted privileges or more formal discipline.

Tier 3: Serious Stuff

• Recording classmates without consent? Damaging school property? Cheating? These fall under tier three.
• Students can expect stronger action and closer scrutiny.

Tier 4: Major Violations

• This is the big league: bullying, sexual harassment, bringing drugs or weapons, impersonating someone, or stirring up chaos at school.
• These offenses are treated with the utmost seriousness and can lead to immediate suspension.

Online behavior counts too…

The rules apply whether students are in class, on a field trip, or joining lessons via Zoom. So yes, what you do online matters just as much as what you do on campus.

Who’s in charge of discipline?

Every public school must now have a disciplinary committee chaired by the headteacher and including four staff members—one of whom must be a social worker. Their job? To investigate incidents and recommend fair, age-appropriate responses.

Special care must also be taken for students with learning difficulties or tough situations at home.

The Ministry’s message is clear: schools should be safe, respectful spaces for everyone—and bad behavior has real consequences.