Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-15
How Priests Teach Students.

The students come from The families of
the sheiks and the more intelligent Sill
danese. Only a few years ago there were
no schools whatever in the upper valley
of the Nile. except those taught by the
mullahs or Mohammedan priests. Such
instruction is entirely oral. The teacher
sits in the pOrtico of n mosque and talks
to his students on various subjects for an
hour or two daily; sometimes on the his
tory of their tribe: another day upon the
movement Of the stars; the next lesson
may concern the rudiments of mathe-
matics. but he eTpounds the teachings of
the Koran more frequently than any other
subject. Thus the children receive their
knowledge through their ears. and not
through their eyes. although many of
them make notes upon strips of tin. cut
from he petroleum cans of the Standard
Oil Company. which is THE Light of
Egypt as well The Light of Asia"
This primitive system of education pre-
walls still TO certain extent. and the
girls receive no instruction whatever out
side the missionary schools. A free pub
lie school system. introduced by the Brit
ish government is being extended az rap
idly as competent teachers can be found
One of the most important purposes of
the Gordon College is to prepare teach
ers and it has already turned out sew
long enough to furnish nearly as many
as are required.
Another important function is to pro-
vide native clerks. judges. engineers
electricians and other competent officials
for the government. and to educat e
farmers for the development of the ag-
ricultural resources of Egypt.
Good Results Already Accomplished.
In a recent report which lies before
me. Mr.. Curr!e. the principal of the col
lege. speaks with enthusia SIN concerning
the results that have already been ac-
complished, and he quotes from Mr. John
Goodman. professor of engineering at
Leeds University. who has recently spent
sons time visiting the Sudan. and made
special inquiries concerning the work Of
the institution and the behavior of its
graduates. He says he was particularly
struck by the brightness and intelligence
of the lads. and found that they had
quite good grasp of their work as
English students at the same stage. and
if this brightness and spirit of inquiry
only continues IN after life they cannot
he says, fail to turn out good citizens
who will do much to develop the indus
tries of the country.
DR.. Currie in his report says that the
young sheiks now in government en-
ploy who We're trained at Gordon Col
leee are distinguishing themselves al
most without exception in the irriga ton
department the railway department. the
public works department and in other
official positions. He says: 1T is graft
flying 10 be able to report that of the
thirty-four boys who began with us in
10000 twenty-five are now in the gov
eminent service. six are employed out
side the government. while only six have
dropped out and cannot be traced.
Results on After Life Being Noted.
"A system of reports is being followed
a fter each student leaves. thus giving an
idea of his ability to satisfy the require
ments of his position and assisting great
Iy as to the lines of future action. From
the point of view of the instructions pro-
vided and the advantage taken by the
boys and young men in attendance.
everything is satisfactory. The far more
interesting question remains. however,
what effect is the general organiza ton
producing in their character and lives. I
had however. in person the opportunity
of watching the behavior of the educated
or partially educated Sudanese under
peculiarly difficult circumstances which
It may be hopeu will not soon recur.'
DR.. Currie refers to an outbreak which