Teachers, graduates and pensioners last night volunteered for teaching posts following a call by the Education Ministry to fill seats of those who have been protesting at the Pearl Roundabout since Sunday.

They have also opted to work without salary, according to a report in our sister paper Akhbar Al Khaleej.

Scores of government schools staff were unavailable to give lessons for a second day yesterday.

It led the Education Ministry to open the door for volunteers to fill the gap.

"The absence of teachers in many schools has negatively affected the studying process and the ministry is looking to overcome that," head of public relations Dr Nabil Al Asoomi said in a statement.

"The ministry is now looking for qualified volunteers willing to help the learning process continue without problems."

Dr Al Asoomi revealed many parents had showed readiness to volunteer and contribute to filling the gaps as well as people in school and ministry administrative positions.

"Procedures will take place to use these volunteers' potential as long as they are able to teach in the needed subjects," he said.

The ministry's Manama branch has been assigned to receive applications from volunteers, where official documents and qualifications are required to be presented.

The ministry stressed teachers who failed to show up had violated the civil services regulations, which all ministries are subject to.

Meanwhile, the percentage of students' attendance in government schools continues to improve, reaching almost 70 per cent.

"Attendance went back to normal in Muharraq and Southern Governorates and reached 50pc in Central Governorate," said Dr Al Asoomi. "However, it stayed low in the Northern and Capital governorates."

Education Minister Dr Majid Al Nuaimi, who appeared on Bahrain TV's afternoon news, stressed that every child has the right to learn. "This is why we decided to open doors and accept volunteers to allow for learning to continue," he said.

"The huge number we have received today only shows how much Bahrainis love their country and are willing to unite for it. It has also made us dedicate an office at our Manama branch to receive volunteers and speed up procedures to solve the shortage."

Dr Al Nuaimi said private schools had been operating as normal. – TradeArabia News Service