Page 206 - Records of Bahrain (5) (ii)_Neat

526 Records oj Bahrain

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As to tho Teaching of Handwriting. Tho Arabic handwriting of nearly
nil liio boys was very boautifully dono, and was, indeed, ouo of tho most
pleasing features of tho Bahrain schools, especially in these days, whon it
is considered by students in sonio of tho Arab countries that to writo badly
is a sign of eloveruess and superior education. No complaiut can bo rnado
ubout°lho Arabio handwriting in tho schools of Bahrain: tho English
handwriting, howover, was vory bad indood, and this is uufortuuato, becauso
bad handwriting in tho young is cousidorod by English pooplo to bo a suro
sigu of poor education, and this may rnuko it dilBoult for Bahrain boys to
obtain posts with English or Amorican businoss compunios, or in banhs.
Tho Knglish hnudwritiug at tho schools is bad beoauso it is learned in a
curious way. It seems that tho boyo of Bahrain loam to writo English by
copyiug what is written by thoir masters on tho blackboard, and sineo no
two masters hnvo tho sarao handwritiug, tho rcsultu aro disastrous. Proper
copy-books, which had apparently nover been heard of iu tho schools,
arc essential if English handwriting is to bo proporly mastered. I suggest
that your Highness should usk tho Eduoation Department to sco that theso
aro ordered, aud that thoy aro regularly used in all tho classos whoro English
is taught. Tho boat copy-books, for uso in Bahrain, would bo thoso of
the" Voro Fostor Series," in tho “ Medium ” stylo of writing, Books 1—10.
Copy-book writing, vory frequently for tho juniors and loss froquoutly for
tho seniors, should bo dono in all the English classes, and not in tho
junior classes only.