Page 321 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (III)_Neat

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Ihc Lady Doctor, Dr. Doeg, made a full examination of the schools at the beginning of the
year and there were daily visits from a nurse from the Government Hospital. Lessons in hygiene
and cleanliness appeared to be bearing fruit and it was noticeable that almost all the children were
well dressed, which reflects the prosperous condition of the people of Bahrain. It was made com­
pulsory for all girls attending school to be vaccinated, a few years ago such a rule would have been
difficult to enforce but today parents who object to their children being vaccinated are rare.
The end of term celebrations, including prize giving, speeches and a school play, were held at
Muharraq school and attended by a very large audience of Arab ladies. At one time these functions
took place at each school separately but they have now been combined in one occasion.

It is not possible for purdah girls to indulge in many extra mural activities but during the
term various picnics were organised in gardens in different parts of the islands and an Arabic Speaking
Society was started by the girls themselves for the purpose of arranging plays, recitations and discus­
sion meetings.

The number of girls at the various schools at the end of the year was as follows:—
Aisha Om Al-Mounineen (Manama) 365
Khadija Al-Kobra (Muharraq) 380
Fatma Al-Zahra (Manama) 223
Hedd School .. 170
Rafaa School .. 150
Total 1.288

Staff. Inspectress .. 1
Syrian teachers 9
Local teachers 55
Total 65

TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Technical education in Bahrain began in 1358 (1936-37) with the formation of carpentry
classes in two of the Government schools and later by simple lessons in metal work in a shed near one
of the schools. Later, two trained carpenters and an engineering teacher were obtained from Syria
through the American University of Beirut and regular classes were organised. i ;
In the following year a building was put up opposite the Manama Primary School and equipped
with some machinery for wood and metal work and a two years’ course for schoolboys was arranged
in these subjects. From the beginning it was difficult to attract boys to this type of training because
in Bahrain any kind of manual labour was, and is still, regarded as infra dig. Most boys, if they aspire
to anything, aspire to occupying a desk in a Government office or failing that to a clerical position
with a commercial firm. Although carpenters, masons and mechanics earn more money in Bahrain
than most clerks, yet educated young Arabs would rather work in offices with lower pay than with
their hands for more money. Soon after the Technical School was started it was found that in order
to make boys attend the school it was necessary to pay them wages so in addition to spending a large
sum of money on providing technical education the Government had to pay the boys to make use
of it. In the beginning all students received an allowance of Rs. 15 per month, they drew. Rs. 10
at the end of each month and were paid the balance after completing the two years’ course. The !
allowance is still being paid but in 1360 (1941) it was reduced to Rs. 5 per mooth.