Page 289 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (I)_Neat

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EDUCATION. 287

There is very little to report on this subject, The

schools, with the exception of the Shia sohool in Manama
are flourishing and well attended and the year has passed
without any serious disturbances such as ocurred in 1349.

Eight schools now exist out of which two are for girls
and the others are for boys, the total average attendance
is 560 boys and 170 girls, but the attendance varies
according to the time of the year.

The two school counoils, Sunni and Shia, who were sup­
posed to assist the Government in matters concerning

Education but who actually impeded it on every possible
occasion, have practically ceased to exist. The period
for which they were elected has terminated and it is not
proposed to revive their activities, The administration

of the schools is in the hands of Shaikh Abdulla bin Isa
assisted by the Inspector of Education, the latter being

responsible for the routine and interior management of
the schools.
The Manama Shia Sohool is the only one which is not
doing well, the attendance of Shias is very small although

there are 20 or 30 Arab Sunnis going regularly to the
school. The reason for this is the incessant quarrels
between the various Shia factions in Manamah and also the

feeling among the Shias that the school should not he
subject to supervision by the Sunni Inspector of Education.
As the Government of Bahrain is Sunni this attitude is
ridiculous but unfortunately it has had the effect of ■ ■
;
reduoing the attendance to about forty or fifty boys in :
a school which will hold 150 scholars.
Encouragement has been given to the schools owing to

the fact that the Government when appointing young men
in the position of clerks or to any vacancies that occur