Page 212 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (I)_Neat
P. 212

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                     The schools whose numbers permit the cits ligament ere
                  divided i«rwe into two grades, Kindergarten and Elementary,
                  •but in t..e larger schools there ere in some cuses as many
                  ss six classes, which is fur wore then is really required.

                  Several of the schools require re-grading but if this were
                  done many of the parents would remove their children as they
                   invariably resent any alteration in the class in which their

                  boys are working, unless it is a move forward,        The difficulties
                  over schools and education in Bahrain are increased by the foot
                   that parents apparently invariably act in accordance to the
                  wishes of their youthful sons and when spoken to on any sub­

                   ject they reply that they do not like to force their children
                   to do anything that does not please the children,       Parental
                   authority seems to be practically non-existent.

                      All teaching is done in Arabic, but the English language
                   is taught from the fourth grade, upwards, at the special
                   desire of both the councils.

                      Tne school term is 9 months and the schools open from
                   8 a.n. to 12 noon end 2 p.m. to 4-30 p.m.

                      The subjects taught include!— The r^uran, Arabic reading,
                   grammar, syntax, writing, learning powms, composition, arith-
                   metic, geometry, bookkeeping, history, geography t nd hygiene.
                      Games for^a great part of the school programme and lately

                   football matches have been organised between the various
                   schools sna locel teams.     Scouting is also tcught.
                      The some text books are now used in all schools and tne

                   curricuiuns of each school is as far as possible the same.
                      During a recent mild epidemic o'f small pox a large number
                   of the school children were vaccinated, free of charge, at

                   the schools, but this unfortunately caused a protest ftom
                   the councils.

                      On the whole the w6¥ea?nn- public appreciate the efforts
                   of the government to encourage education but the slightest
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