Page 217 - Records of Bahrain (5) (ii)_Neat

The progress of state education, 1939-1941 537

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•j’lic mailer of Iho School Buildings and Equipment.
I understand that thoro is sorao public dissatisfaction with tho ago and
condition of the buildings in which some of tho schools aro at present
housed, and that the erection of now and up-to-date schools, with modern
equipment, is being asked for.

It is loo often forgotten by those who demaud extousivo roforms from
governments that roforms cost monoy, and that money is not unlimited.
People are apt to forget, also, how much tho Government has alroady done.
I do not advise your Highness to spond money on orocting imposing school
buildings, or in tho purchase of elaborate equipment. Ear more import­
ant than the outside of a school is what goes on insido it. Education
can bo imparted in the very humblest surrouudiugs. Thoro havo boon many
instances, in past times in England, of education of tho highost class being
givcu by poor toachcrs, to equally poor pupils, iu stablos and cellars. If
{kero is any spare monoy to bo spent on the schools of Bahrain, lot it bo
spent in securing hotter toaohing and modern books, rathor than on brioks
and mortar, which cun do nothing towards raising tho standard of education.

Tho building of tho three infants' schools, howovor, I regard as being
au absolutely necessary expense—ono whioh will have to be inourred if tho
standard of education in Bahrain is to bo raised, aud if tho present over­
crowding of tho threo town schools is to bo romedied.

I also think that wator should bo laid on to Muharraq School, and, if
possible, electric light.