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A NEW perimeter wall is being constructed around Bahrain School in Juffair in a bid to improve security.
The move comes shortly after the US reopened its doors to navy wives joining their husbands in the kingdom during their duty in the Gulf region.
Although the green light has yet to be given for children to come too, it looks likely a decision will be made shortly and the school is busy preparing for an increased intake.
"Currently there is a metal fence surrounding the exterior of the school and its adjacent parking lot and the new wall will be a permanent structure and will help enhance the security measures at the school," said Nathan Christensen, spokesperson for the Bahrain-based US Navy Fifth Fleet.
Late last year a decision was taken by US Department of Defence (DoD) to authorise adult dependants of US military and DoD civilian personnel permanently assigned to Bahrain to return and reside with their spouse in Bahrain.
The US Navy believes that the decision will improve morale amongst their men and women. There are around 3,000 US sailors stationed in Bahrain.
Military personnel presently serve 12-to-18-month unaccompanied tours in Bahrain, but the policy change means that for those who are accompanied by family, tours will now stretch to two years. "But dependents under the age of 18 have not yet been approved to return to Bahrain. This is currently being reviewed and we hope that children will be authorised to return to Bahrain shortly," added Lt Christensen.
In the meantime, the school is busy preparing itself just in case the announcement is made sooner, rather than later.
"We have broken ground on a perimeter wall for the Bahrain School that will enhance security measures at the school with the prospect of Department of Defence personnel's children returning to Bahrain for the start of this fall's school year," said Vice Admiral Bill Gortney, commander of Navy forces at Central Command.
In July 2004, dependants of US military were told to leave Bahrain, the headquarters of the 5th Fleet, because of impending threats against US and other Western interests. The evacuation orders affected around 800 families and sparked protests within the US community.
Bahrain School, run by the Pentagon, suffered a setback after around 350 students left for the US, dramatically reducing student numbers and faculty members.
According to the school authorities, the reversal of the controversial decision made in 2004 comes amid greater security assurances for US families in Bahrain. "This is a great development and I look forward to welcoming the students. We now have 456 students, and we look forward to receiving at least the same number as the students who left in 2004," said Alice Berard, Principal of Bahrain School.
At present the school has US marines posted near its entrance and security procedures are observed for anyone entering its premises.
Recently Bahrain and the United States Department of Defence renewed the five-year lease of the Bahrain School facility, reaffirming the enduring relationship between the school and the kingdom since 1973.
The official groundbreaking ceremony to build the perimeter wall was attended by Bahrain and US Navy officials, led by Shaikh Mohammed bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, son of the Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
