Page 14 - History of Arabian Mission 1926-1957

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A government ochool with a Syrian principal wao begun, thereby giving with beautiful manners. On the great day, with real dignity and poise they
impetus and prestige to the cause of women's education in Bahrain. As
the case in earlier years in Basrah, a promising pupil in the mission face a big audience to deliver their graduation essays. It is very 6weet to
was chosen to be a teacher in the government school, and, with pupils who were hear their expressions of appreciation for all that the school has meant to
perouaded to follow her, formed the backbone of the new school. In both cases them. They speak of how they have looked forward to this day, the happiest
we rejoice that we were pioneers in education for women, and have made a in their lives, how their teachers have labored and been patient (appreciated
through their own efforts at practice teaching). They tell of what they have
substantial contribution to the cause.
learned in school and of their training in thoughtfulness, self-control, and
helping others. As one of them In her speech said, '0 my dear school friends,
By 1931, the mission school had six classes - from kindergarten work bard and be zealous that you may attain even as I am attaining at this
through fifth grade. There was a ripple of excitement among the pupils when hour my diploma which God has given me. 111
two Koran teachers were enrolled and came regularly.
The summer of 19^2 saw the date-stick hut torn down, in which the
In 1933 the first real graduate was given her diploma, a red letter day lower classes had been meeting, and three classrooms erected along the front
for the school.
of the mission property and adjoining the other rooms under the chapel.
In 1936 Miss Ruth Jackson wrote: "There is Joy in building u? a work
Steady progress was made during the ensuing years, with graduating
one's self, but there is also Joy in coming back after several years and taking classes every year, once including a daughter from the ruling family.
over such a school as Mrs. Dame has built up here. When I was a language
student I saw It started with a small group of children. Now It is a six- The educational program in the state schools advanced, for girls as
grade school and two of those pupils are faithful and enthusiastic teachers, well as boys, and English \fas introduced; a large secondary school was opened,
giving to others what they have received. It has six classes, two to which earns of the mission school girls were eventually to go. Five of our
besides myself, and three classrooms. One of these is a large aari-e —^ graduates, enrolled in this school, had to take examinations including the
built la the playground.
Koran but reported that they did not find their new work difficult because of
the advancing educational standards of our school.
"What makes this school remarkable is the great enthusiasm of the
children, their love for the school and their pride in it, and the In 1956 Miss Ruth Jackson summarized the progress of the school: "Our
spirit of friendship and helpfulness."
emphasis during the last few years upon the teaching of English and the start­
ing of the new seventh grade with most of its work in English is exerting a
In 19to Miss Rachel Jackson reported: "We have travelled far since noticeable influence on the enrollment. There are a larger number of girls
the Acorn School of pioneer days, for we have regular and fully qualified from merchants' families and a sudden Influx of small children from different
teachers, much better equipment, a systemized curriculum and a large body of
young women whose enlarged horizons, fuller life, and higher aspirations arc branches of the ruling family."
due entirely to this school. Club work for former and present pupils ha3 met The Mission envisages a Junior high school, with instruction mainly in
a great need and gone far to cultivate a solidarity of interest as well as to English, according to the method now used ih Baghdad and Beirut. This will
cement friendships." prevent duplication and competition, and provide for the girls who have been
going on to Baghdad, Beirut, or even to London, for advanced training. We
In 19^1 five girls graduated, of whom Miss Ruth Jackson wrote: "In want to set up a simplified teachers' training course adapted to the minds of
the spring of 1936 when I inherited the Bahrain Girls' School there were fourteen to fifteen-year-olds, suitable to our future educational needs, so
about a dozen eager, bright-eyed youngsters of middle size who soon after re­ that we can draw our own teachers from this advanced group.
joiced aloud at being promoted to third grade...They were a mixture of rich
and poor. Some appeared in pretty silk dresses, some with black Arab "In grade seven," continues Miss Jackson, "we have seven full-time
Bmkhneks framing their faces. Some paid fees and bought their books, others pupils, plu3 three teachers and two Muscat girls who take only the hour of
were given everything a3 they could, not afford to bring anything at all. Also teachers' training with Mrs. Begg We trust that this class will be a
they were a mixture of Muslims of both Sunni and Shiah sects and of Jews. blessing not only to its students but to the rest of the school and to Muscat,
Quarrel3 among them were not Infrequent but friendships were also forming by giving better training to our teachers.
and growing closer, barriers of class, race and religion were breaking down,
and generally peace and good fellowship, If not quietness, reigned. "We had a very happy year with a fine spirit of friendship and co­
operation among teachers and pupils: and both of these groups Include Muslims,
"When I returned from furlough last fall the group was nearly ready The participation in chapel exercises has been good.
to graduate from sixth grade. There were only five left, Some- had resisted Christians, and.Jews
We feel that the religious training in the school has played the main part In
considerable pressure to stay in school so long They could hardly wait keeping up an atmosphere of friendship and goodwill that has been able to bar
for the day when their diplomas would be pub into their hands. Perhaps the from our ochool the political and racial strife which is now so active in the
goal does not seem high to you. But in Bahrain, where only five out of a community.
possible twenty-five of those who started won through, it has seemed at times
an almost unattainable goal. And how different the group is now - no longer Bahrain' has been fortunate in the past in having little, if any,
lively youngsters but when occasion demands almost young ladies, quiet and government interference with either administration, curriculum, or religious

far