Page 195 - Records of Bahrain (5) (ii)_Neat

The progress of stale education, 1939-1941 515

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I wA'i told when I wus in Bahrain that a numbor of peoplo wero pressing
(or lbe fommtion of an Educational Committoo, to consist of tho new
MufitUi.ds. the hcadmustors of tho schools, soino of tho paronts, and a number
of people interested in oducatiou, though not aotuully counoctod with it. Tho
Mitfi'C.-ilion was that all important educational matters should bo brought
before this Committee, for discussiou and for dooision, aud that all tho
notions of tho Mufottish should bo uubjoot to its approval.

1 am quito dolinitcly against any 6uoh arrangement. I know that
6ucb committees aro to bo found in tho educational systems of most of
tho Arab countries, and I rogard thorn as ono of tho ounces of Eastern
education. In this matter of responsibility, Eastern and Wostorn praoticcB
arc ut opposito poles. In tho Eastern world wo find tho responsible official
looting ulways for tho holp and the support of others, in ovory stop which
ho hikes; fearing to stand alono, or to act upon his own judgemout ; fearing
above all to mako an unpopular docision. In tho West, whou onco we havo
choson a man to becomo a responsible public servant, aud havo told him
what wo want him to do, wo loavo him alono to carry out his work in his
own way. It may happen that, lator on, wo lind that wo have mado a
mistuko, and havo chosen tho wrong man. In that case wo dismiss him
quickly, and chooso another. But so long as wo omploy him, wo trust him;
we leave tho whole of tho matter iu his hands ; aud wo rofraiu from
interfering with him. This system is a sourco of strength to auy State
which employs it, for it brings out in public offioials tho quality of solf-
rclianco, aud forces them to thiuk, iustoad of moroly to obey. It leads
to singleness of aim, to uniformity of practice, aud to quickuess and
certainly of decision, and all tbeso things mako for bold goverumonb.
But committees aro a sourco of woaknoss. Thoy load to divorsity of aim,
and to vacillation of policy. Committees brood wouk officials. Committees
leeuu much talk aud little actiou.
What is tho uso of employing a Mufottish, if he is to becomo im­
mediately auswerablo to a committee, some of whose mombors are his
own subordinates ? A Mufottish is in the samo position as tho captain of
a ship. Ho is steering tho educational vossol towards tho appointed port.
A ship's captain is not subject to ft oominittoo : ho is absoluto muster of the
cruft iu which ho sails, free to make any deoisiou which ho considers need­
ful, and ausworable only to those who aro paying him his wages. Aud so
it should be with your Highness's Mufottish.
I advise your Highness not to consont to tho appointment of tho
proposed Committeo.