Page 107 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (III)_Neat

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proved remarkably successful. The vocabulary of 850 words has a very extensive range embracing
all subjects. The fact that a boy can keep up a continuous, if limited, conversation after six months
study provides a great stimulus to further effort. After three years the boy has a command of the
whole vocabulary and thus has access to the wide and ever growing library of works in Basic English.
On reaching the Secondary School he proceeds from Basic to wider English.
Basic English is peculiarly suited to the study of Science and Mathematics as the very economy
of words leads to directness and clarity ; all Secondary Schoolboys were made to go through the full
course before embarking on the usual syllabus.

Medical. Owing to the shortage of medical staff the Schools’ Doctor attended the schools
for the first three months of the year only. Drugs and first-aid materials have been supplied regularly
and were administered by the Headmasters.
There is no improvement in the state of the schoolboys’ eyes. Daily 25% attend the various
dispensaries which necessitates an absence of from one to two hours.

Head diseases have been almost entirely eradicated. No boy is allowed to wear a head shawl
in the class room unless he is infected. It is now considered a disgrace to sit with the head covered
and this has lead to rapid improvement in the cleanliness of heads and ears.
Equipment. Considerable difficulty has been experienced in obtaining adequate supplies
of stationery and other equipment. The normal source of supply is India, but owing to the restrictions
which have been imposed it has been extremely difficult to obtain even the essential minimum.

In Muharram a consignment was received from India which had been ordered nearly a year
before. Only half of our original requisition was allowed. This stock is running very low. Further
material is on order but it is held up until a permit can be obtained to export it from India.
Throughout the year the British Council in London and Cairo rendered invaluable assistance
by the purchase and despatch of school books and other educational material.
British Council Assistance. The assistance given to the Government of Bahrain by the
British Council falls under five headings:—
(а) An annual grant of £500 towards the salary of the Director of Education.

(б) A scholarship of £75 per annum at the American University, Beirut, for a boy chosen
from the Secondary School.
(c) Books and periodicals to the value of £150 presented to the Public and School Libraries.
(d) A grant of £50 for the purchase of an epidiascope which will be sent out from England.

((f) The purchase and transporting to Bahrain of school books and other educational material
on behalf of the Government. During the past year we have received not less than 4,000
school books in Arabic and English, in addition to 250 Arabic works for the Public
Library.

Public Library. A Public Library was opened at the end of the year, the money having
been provided from the proceeds of the Secondary School play earlier in the year. At present it
contains about 250 Arabic and 200 English books. There are, as yet, no facilities for lending books,
but arrangements are being made to introduce these in the very near future, when the Library will be
open for all Service Personnel as well as Bahrainis.
The Reading Room is the large north room of the Education Department Offices. From 30
to 40 people make use of it each day ; so far no Europeans have visited it.