Page 171 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (III)_Neat

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Teaching Staff.
ist Term. 2nd Term.
Infants and Primary.
New School, Manama 7 9
West School, Manama ii ir
Muharraq J5 15
Hedd ....................... 9 9
42 44
Secondary 5* 5*
Villages.
Rufa 6 5
Bodayya 6 6
Sitra 5 5
Khamis 6 6
23 22
Inspector i
P. T. Instructor .. z

Total 70 73
* Including the Director.
The rapid increase in the number of boys in the Infants' Schools in the past few years is now
making itself felt in the Primary Classes. Of the 385 boys who left school at the end of the year
only a very few were from the Infants. These few were almost entirely from the Village Schools. We
can therefore expect considerable growth of the town Primary Schools in the next few years. Of
these 385 boys 140 were from the Village Schools, the majority of whom obtained work with the Oil
Company. They were between the ages of 12 and 15 years. The present tendency is for villagers
to go to school for about 4 years and then to obtain work away from their homes, whereas the town
boys complete at least their seven years of Infants and Primary School education.
Children are now entering the schools at six or seven years, some even at five instead of at 11
or 12 as formerly so that the average age in each class is steadily falling. Only a $ery few of the
Secondary School boys are over 16. It is gratifying to sec that most of the ruling family are now
sending their young children to school.
2. Staff.
The figures for Staff show an increase of only three over last year. 19 teachers resigned in
1363. most of them before the Summer Holiday, in order to obtain jobs elsewhere. Many of them
were senior teachers who had been with us many years. As far as possible these were replaced by
local men but for some months we were very much understaffed.
At the end of September 1944 (Shawwal 1363), 12 fully trained and experienced Egyptian
teachers were engaged, being seconded to this Government by the Ministry of Education, Cairo.
Their arrival was delayed owing to difficulties of transport and they did not reach Bahrain until
mid-November, six weeks after the start of term. These men arc working in the Secondary and town I
Primary Schools. It is still early to give a true estimate of their worth but from the work already done
it appears that they will have a very beneficial influence on the schools.
In March 1944 (Robia al Awwal 1363), a very successful conference was held when papers were
read and discussions held on Educational Theory and Practice. Although attendance was voluntary
every teacher, without exception, attended. The Director of Education of Kuwait, Ali Haikal, was
present and read two papers.
In October 1944 (Shawwal 1363), three of our best local teachers were sent to Egypt to study
for a year at the Abdul Aziz Training School for Primary School Teachers. A special course has
been arranged in order to give them the maximum experience in the time.