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'File 4/13 II Kuwait Education' [‎91r] (181/844)

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The record is made up of 1 file (420 folios). It was created in 6 Oct 1939-17 Nov 1943. It was written in English, Arabic and French. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .

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Reform of school syllabuses
I do not quarrel with the more ambitious subjects of study, as
given in my Report, so long as they are to be studied only by the boys
in the Glasses above the "primary" sections of the schools - i.e. in
Glasses 7, 8, and 9. But for younger boys they are unnecessary, and
some of them are absurd.
I should suggest that the first six classes of the system should
omit at any rate English, geometry, biology, and civics. All these
could begin in Glass 7 of the Mubarakiyah ; and on the other hand/ the
Mubarakiyah should discontinue the study of Chemistry and Physics, at
least until they have a proper laboratory, proper equipment and chem
icals, and a really qualified teacher.
The "Commerce" class at the Mubarakiyah is an excellent idea, but
it is at present very elementary, and should be strengthened by the
engagement of an expert typewriting teacher who could also give really
efficient instruction in bookkeeping and commercial practice. This
subject should be studied in English, not in Arabic. A few typewriters
should be available for use by the boys, but only under expert super-
vision.
A.11 the above suggestions are ^ base^on the assumption that the
tIraq method of education is to be retained at Kuwait. Indeed, it
has now got such a hold that only a foreign Director could impose a
new one on the masters and the schools ; and it would take a long time.
Even in Bahrain we are only able to bring it about by slow degrees
Boys in Classes 1 to 3 (i.e. infants) should be confined to
Religion, Reading, Writing, Arit hmetic, Manual Work, oinging, anu
Physical Drill.

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Content

This file contains correspondence related to the development of education in Kuwait, specifically the activities of a British educational official named F J Wakelin, who was on secondment from the British Council and acting as adviser to the Governments of Bahrain and Kuwait at this time.

A number of reports regarding Kuwait's educational system written by Wakelin are contained in the file. Topics discussed include the hiring of teachers from Egypt, educational reform and the role of the British Council including a visit made to Kuwait by a Council official named C A F Dundas.

In addition to correspondence between Wakelin and other British officials (notably the Political Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. in Kuwait), the file also contains a large amount of correspondence between him and the Ruler of Kuwait, Shaikh Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah and Kuwait's Department of Education (much of which is in Arabic accompanied by English translations). A limited amount of correspondence between British officials in Egypt and the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also present (this is largely in French and occasionally in Arabic).

On folios 117-137, the file contains a price list of Arabic books and school materials prescribed for use in government elementary and secondary schools 1939-40 that was prepared by the Department of Education, Government of Palestine in Jerusalem.

Extent and format
1 file (420 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the file.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 422; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between folios 2-421; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.

Written in
English, Arabic and French in Latin and Arabic script
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'File 4/13 II Kuwait Education' [‎91r] (181/844), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/5/196, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100042405733.0x0000b6> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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