Page 266 - Neglected Arabia Vol 2

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EDUCATIONAL WORK
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The Ministry of Teaching
"Know Ihr lrulIt, mnl the truth shall wake you free."
M JSCAT has maintained its small day school for hoys, conducted
under the supervision of the evangelistic missionary, and has from
15 to 2U in regular attendance. The hoys all join heartily in
singing the hymns, and they seem to be the liest vehicle for the
Christian message, although all the pupils of course receive regular Gospel
instruction.
Bahrein.—The boys’ school here is, curiously enough, suffering because
of the increased popularity of education. As long as the mission school
was the only one in existence, it drew from all classes of the community.
As the town has progressed, however, and a desire for education has pene­
trated llie whole social order, an increasing number of other schools have
been opened. These have l>een pul on a sound basis, with Government
backing, and are well staffed with trained teachers, well housed, and one
of them even offers the attraction of uniforms and a band. Religious
pressure is brought to bear on the Arabs to retain their children in their
own schools. However, with the greater number of schools there will
undoubtedly be a greater desire for education, by which our school will
benefit. During the past year it has been under the direction of the
evangelistic missionary, but in the future with a full-time principal, and in
a belter building, we confidently expect that it will be a potent agency for
making friends and inculcating the teachings of the Great 'Teacher.
The Bahrein girls’ school has had a year of steady growth and de­
velopment. Besides the missionary in charge and the native teacher,
classes in Bible have been taught by the evangelistic missionary, and
classes in child care by the American nurse, with demonstrations in the
woman’s hospital. A new feature of the year's work has been the organiz­
ing of a girls’ club, and Mrs. Dame writes that the members have
astonished everyone by their display of initiative and executive ability.
They have carried out programs and picnics, taking full responsibility,
and demonstrating what the secluded Moslem girl can do when she has
even a slight chance at self-expression. Several of the older girls have i
expressed a serious interest in our religion, and our prayers are asked for j
them. A Government girls’ school has been started in Bahrein, with a j
Syrian principal, and we ho|>e that the general cause of women’s education
will be stimulated and encouraged thereby. 'The average enrolment of »
our school was 45. and the average attendance AS a slight increase over
last year.
Kuweit lwiys’ school had the advantage of a missionary’s full time
during the winter months, as Mr. I)c Jong did not have the added re­
sponsibility of the evangelistic work of the station until Mr. Galvvrley’s
departure for Amara in April. A new house in the heart of Kuweit was
rented, put in good repair by the owner, and adapted for school use. 'The
boys were happy in their new school and enjoyed the improved facilities
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