Page 106 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (III)_Neat

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the Four Rules; Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry were unknown to them. They had 'read
three hooks’ in English but could not make use of the language in any way. Their History and
Geography were limited to a few useless * facts * that they had committed to memory. It was on
this basis that we had to build our present Secondary Education. Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry,
History, Gcorgraphy and Science have had to be taught from the beginning, all three forms taking
the same lessons in these subjects. Thus there is the anomaly of primary schoolboys studying books
which arc used in the higher forms of the Secondary School. In this lies the answer to criticisms
of lack of enterprise in not teaching typewriting and other secretarial and commercial subjects. So
much leeway has to be made up in the subjects normally taught in the Primary Schools that it is
not yet possible to make additions to the syllabus. In a very few years boys in Form I will be more
advanced than those in the present Third Form.
An indication of the rapid progress in English is that Science and Mathematics are now taught
in English in the Second and Third Forms. Another encouraging sign is that Yusif Shirawi, the top
boy, in Form III last year, was able to enter Class IV of the American University Secondary School
at Beirut. The authorities reported that his Arabic and English were good but that his Mathematics
were weak. This boy holds the British Council Scholarship.
The unexpected loss of the Headmaster and an Assistant Master at the end of the year 1362
reduced the staff to two. At this time of the year it was not possible to find a foreigner, and there
are very few Bahrainis qualified to teach in the Secondary School. As a temporary measure the
Director is teaching Mathematics, Science and English.
The Hostel. The accommodation in the Hostel has been considerably increased. Eight
new rooms have been added thus doubling the number of rooms, and the kitchen, bathrooms and
latrines completely rebuilt. There are now six dormitories to accommodate 35 boys. Among the
new rooms added were a large games room and a library.
Boarders are under constant supervision and are expected to take part in keeping the building
clean and in good repair. They make their own beds and sweep out the dormitories.

Two boys from each of the Village Schools are living in the Hostel attending the
Manama Primary Schools. In this way it is hoped to train them as teachers so that in a few years
time they may return to their villages as school masters.

On 1st Rabi Awal (8th March 1943) His Highness, accompanied by Shaikh Abdulla bin Isa
and Shaikh Mohamed bin Isa, visited the Hostel to open the extension. He aftenvards visited the
Secondary School and gave away the prizes.
Village Schools. There are three in number. In all cases the standard is deplorable.
We have now overcome the difficulty of over-crowding by adding two or more class rooms to each
school. Where formerly 80 to 90 children.were sitting on the floor of one room each class now has
its own room and the maximum number of boys in a class is restricted to 40. In only three classes
out of 15 are there more than 25 in a room.
The local staff in the villages can barely read or write and have no conception of teaching or
discipline. These are gradually being replaced by teachers from the towns. These men very naturally
refuse to live in the villages but transport is provided for them daily.
The poverty of the villagers is lamentable. They are undernourished, miserably clad and
carry the dirt and disease of years. Four cases of venereal disease were reported during the year,
all of them being schoolboys under 14 years of age.
To alleviate their hardships every schoolboy is given two loaves of bread daily and during the
year they have been issued with two sets of clothing.
English Teaching. English is first taught in the second year of the Primary Schools.
In classes 2, 3 and 4 Basic English is used and is taught by the Direct Method. This has

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