'Government of Bahrain Annual Report for Year 1359 (February 1940 - February 1941)' [‎184r] (39/74)

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Anfi-ntcilaria measures and reclatnation. —Much reclamation work was done in the low-lying"
ground south-east of Mananiah town. Depressions were filled with stone covered with town
rubbish and oiled sand; the pool on the south-west of the town was considerably reduced in size
bv filling it with stones and earth. The municipality, under the supervision of the State Engineer,
■carried out the work of linking together several artesian wells and provided additional water
points in areas where no water supply existed. Several new drains were built, including one
through the Nairn district which became necessary to carry away flood water after the abnormal
rains. The Secretary of the Municipality and his siafi co-operated effectively with the Medical
Department in carrying out anti-malaria measures in Manamah.
In addition to the ordinary routine work of the municipalitv, such as removing refuse,
cleaning the markets, abattoir services, supervising food, shops, etc., the Municipalitv carried
out work on behall of the Government on the Manamah—Muharraq sea road terminal, and in
building a drain from the swamp south-ctist of the town to the sea-shore at Houra.
The council, under the presidency The name given to each of the three divisions of the territory of the East India Company, and later the British Raj, on the Indian subcontinent. of Shaikh Abdullah bin Isa Al-Khalifah, met 17 times
■during the year and sub-committees carried out 26 inspections.
The Muharraq Municipality.—
Revenue ... Rs. 59,825
Expenditure ... Rs. 48,50*)
Most of the Municipality's work consisted of routine duties, such as town cleaning, super
vision of food markets, repairing roads, and upkeep of municipal property.
1 he road from the pier to His Highness Shaikh Hamad's house was widened by cutting a
number of houses. It is now possible for two cars to pass in most parts of the road.
1 he electric supply was extended along tin* sea road extension as far as the boys school at
Busaiteen. I he road itself was built by the Municipality with a special grant from the Govern
ment. It reduces the motor tralfic inside the town and makes the other parts of Muharraq island
more easily accessible.
I he Municipality receives a small extra grant for carrying out work in Hedd where there
js no independent municipalitv.
Shia Wakf Department
I he revenue of the department was Rs. 17,855, about Rs. 5,000 less than during the previous
year. 1 he total expenditure was Rs. 20,000. Approximately Rs. 8,000 was spent on the Matems,
Rs. 3 ,300 on repairs to mosques, Rs. 3,7°° on repairs to wakf properties, and Rs. 1 ,500 on
charities. At the end of the year the department had a balance of approximately Rs. 4,000.
I here was no change in the wakf committee during the year but there will be a re-election
during 1360. I he Shia Wakf Department has now become a securelv established institution and
there no longer exists any opposition to its activities.
1 he Sunni wakfs are still administered directly by the Sunni Oadis. It has not vet been
possible to create a committee and a regular organisation for dealing with them.
EDUCATION
Report by Mr. C. R. L. Adrian Vallance, M.A., Director of Education.
The year 1359 been one of considerable progress in the sphere of Government Education,
ftnd some of the many charges and reforms carried out during the period can be summarised as
follows: —
I he working hours of both masters and boys have been rationalised. The pav and conditions
ol teachers have been regularised. Grades of teachers have been defined, permantent rates of
pa} have been fixed, and annual increments have been introduced. All teachers, except village
mullas, have been made participators in the Government Provident Scheme.
A central store for books, stationery, and equipment has been established at the Education
Dllice. Payment by the pupils themselves for books and stationery has been abolished, thus remov
ing the previous insuperable bar to the proper education of poor bovs.
Arab dress for masters and boys alike, in all the schools except the Technical School, has
been made obligatory.
1 he age of admission to the lowest classes of the schools has been raised from 4, or 6 to
nearer to 8 than 7." The over-aged young men and the married men who formerly monopolised
'he upper classes of the schools have been weeded out altogether. Rules for the elimination of
■excessively dull boys from the educational system have been devised.