Page 325 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (II)_Neat

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Anli-mnhtria measures ami reclamation.—Much reclamation work was (lone in the low-lying
ground south-east of Manamah town. Depressions were filled with stone covered with town
rubbish and oiled sand; the pool on the south-west of the town was considerably reduced in size
by filling it with stones and earth. The municipality, under the supervision of the State Engineer,
carried out the work of linking together several artesian wells and provided additional water
points in areas where no water supply existed. Several new drains were built, including one
through the Nairn district which became necessary to carry away flood water after the abnormal
rains. The Secretary of the Municipality and his,stall' co-operated effectively with the Medical
Department in carrying out anti-malaria measures in Manamah.
In addition to the ordinary routine work of the municipality, such as removing refuse,
cleaning the markets, abattoir services, supervising food, shops, etc., the Municipality carried
out work on behalf of the (Sovernment on the Manamah—Muharraq sea road terminal, and in
building a drain from the swamp south-east of the town to the sea-shore at Houra.
The council, under the presidency of Shaikh Abdullah bin Isa Al-Khalifah, met 17 times
during the year and sub-committees carried out 2b inspections.
The Muharraq Municipality.—
Revenue Rs. .VVS-\S
Expenditure Rs.
Most of the Municipality’s work consisted of routine duties, such as town cleaning, super­
vision of food markets, repairing roads, and upkeep of municipal properly.
The road from the pier to His Highness Shaikh Hamad's house was widened by cutting a
number of houses. It is now possible for two cars to pass in most parts of the road.
The electric suppb was extended along the sea road extension as far as the boys school at
llusaiteen. The road itself was built bv the Municipal’ll) with a special grant from the (lovern-
ment. It reduces the motor trallic inside the town and makes the other parts of Muharraq island
more easily accessible.
The Municipality receives a small extra grant for carrying out work in Hedd where there
is no independent municipality.
Shia Wakf Department
The revenue of the department was Rs. 17,^55, about Rs. 5,000 less than during the previous
year. The total expenditure was Rs. 2o,<xx». Approximately Rs. H,<xxi was spent on the Malems,
Rs. 3,500 on repairs to mosques, Rs. 3,700 on repairs to wakf properties, and Rs. 1,500 on
charities. At the end of the year the department had a balance of approximately Rs. 4,000.
There was no change in the wakf committee during the year but there will be a re-election
during 1360. The Shia Wakf Department has now become a securely established institution and
there no longer exists any opposition to its activities.
The Sunni wakfs are still administered directly by the Sunni Qadis. It has not yet been
possible to create a committee and a regular organisation for dealing with them.

EDUCATION
Report by Mr. C. R. L. Adrian Vallaneo, M.A., Director of Education.
The year 1359 has been one of considerable progress in the sphere of (iovernment Education,
and some of the many charges and reforms carried out during the period can be summarised as
follows: —
The working- hours of both masters and boys have been rationalised. The pay and conditions
of teachers have been regularised, (irades of teachers have been defined, permanfent rates of
pay have been fixed, and annual increments have been introduced. All teachers, except village
mullas, have been made participators in the (iovernment Provident Scheme.
A central store for Ixjoks, stationery, and equipment has been established at the Education
Office. Payment by the pupils themselves for books and stationery has been abolished, thus remov­
ing the previous insuperable bar to the proper education of poor boys.
Arab dress for masters and boys alike, in all the schools except the Technical School, has
been made obligatory.
The age of admission to the lowest classes of the schools has been raised from 4, 5, or to
"nearer to S than 7.” The over-aged young men and the married men who formerly monopolised
the upper classes of the schools have been weeded out altogether. Rules for the elimination of
excessively dull boys from the educational system have been devised.