Page 255 - Records of Bahrain (5) (ii)_Neat

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The progress oj stale education, 1939-1941 575

tradition of industry and technical education. In Bahrain the
Toohnical School cannot be concoivod on exactly the same lines as
any existing model. It must dovolop as something quito individual,
aaoooitttod with a set of conditions which are nov/horc oloe to bo
found ,in the same combinatibn. Although the project is not at
present a very largo one, tho pioneer work of building up such a
school cbuld only be done successfully by a fnan with exceptional
vision and enterprise in addition to good professional experience.
In my opinion tho following qualifications orb essontial to the
Principal of tho School.
1. A varied and successful teach­ QUALIFICATIONS
ing experience, .with a knowledge of OF TiiE PRINCIPAL.
craft instruction.
2. Acquaintance With the modern practice* of tho
engineering, electrical and woodworking trades.
3. A personality which combines the qualities of
patience and tactfulness with an ability to maintain strifct
discipline among the staff and students.
4. A real command of the English language^
5. Ability to conduct the official business of o.
technical school, including the specification of equipment
and the control of contract work.
6. A capacity for establishing proper contacts with
European and American residents in Bahrain.
It is hordly to bo expected that all, DESIRABILITY OF A
or even tho majority of these qualifications BRITISH PfaNClPAL
would be found together in a man of any FOR THE SCHOOL,
oastern nationality. Therefore there seems
to be no oJLternativc to tho appointment of a British Principal.
Not only does Groat Britain afford a wide range of choice of well
qualified young men, but this country could provido also expert
help and advice in the matter of selecting a suitable candidate
for the post should that be necessary.
I am awaro that thero are difficulties in the way of adding
to the number of British off ideas in your Highness’s service. I
would .point out, howevei', that this case deoex'ves special attention
because of its direct bearing on the whole question of the eriq^loy-
ment of foi'eigners in Bahrain. Tho replacement of foroigners by
Bahrain subjects, both in the service of tho Oil Comp.xny and else­
where in the State, is a process which only awaits a proper system
of technical trainingj and since, a3 I am convinced, the required
standard of training can only be ensured by placing its organisa­
tion in the hands of a British official, this appointment is to be
regarded as exceptional. While I am not abJ.e to spook with any
certain knowledge of public opinion in Bahrain on the general
question of tho employmont of British officials, I can say from
experience that olsewhoro in the East, oven where intense national­
ism provails, the public would feel that they had been deprived
of the best if such work as technical education were put in chax’go
of /anyone but a British specialist. I have recently boon told by
a high official in tho Colonial Service, speaking from his experi­
ence in India, Ceylon, and various parts of Africa, that of all
tho kinds of administrative and social work carried out in those
parts, technical education will be one of the .’Last to pass out of
British control into native hands.

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