Evening star., 1948-04-18

East COllege ASSOCIATION ana InuS
Athens College was started.
The growing appreciation of and
demand for American culture is
further illustrated by Athens Col
lege. When this school first opened
its doors. in 1925, 1t had total
enrolment of Is students. The
student body reached 400 shortly
before this last war. In the fall
of 1947, however, the total regis
tration rose to 800-with 5000 appli-
cants turned down for lack Of
space. This example holds true to
greater or lesser extent with
every other American school In the
Middle East. While on the subject
Of Athens College, it is Of interest
to note that, despite the economic
situation of Greece, 80 per cent of
the deficit of that college Is being
covered by contributions in Greece
herself. In this particular instance
the main reason for this local sup
port lies in the democratic principle
to which Athens college has been
adhering, of making its educational
faciHtrs available to all those who
can profit from them regardless OF
their economic standing.
On an average, approximately TO-
600 students each year attend the
American schools and colleges in
the Middle East. They study under
and associate with American teach
ers and professors. They use Amer
lean textbooks. They apply Ameri-
can methods and approaches. They
live and work in a school society
organized on American lines.
Ideals Are Democratic
These schools do not have as their
objective to propagate Americanism.
Almost all Of them have adapted
their programs to the needs and
requirements Of the countries and
Of the peoples where they operate.
Their goal is to educate and to shape
good, national citizens-hence, their
value to the respective countries
which they serve. But these schools
have their origin in America; they
are supported in the main by Ameri-
cans, and they are run and directed
by Americans. Therefore, their
fundamental educational principles
are not based on communistic or
totalitarian theories but on the DEM
ocratic, American ideals.
Another important contribution
Of these schools is the teaching of
the English language. The impor-
tance of this cannot be overempha-'
sized. The language offers a key
to these thousands of students into
the literatve and civilization Of the
largest democratic power in the
world.
The value Of these schools does
not lie only in that they shape and
educate so many thousands OF STU
dents each year. The influences of
the schools ar also felt in society
at large. Some of these schools
have extension courses, others run
hospitals and still others have well
fare activities. Equally important,
too, are their own students, gradu-
ates and national teachers, who act
as carriers Of ideals into their own
families and fields Of activity.
The importance and extent Of the
contribution Of these American edu-
cational institutions toward democ-
racy and toward the building up OF
good will for America, Is readily
apparent even to the casual Amer
ican traveller in the Middle East.
Invariably he will come in contact
with one Of the products OF these
schools, either in the person Of a
high official or Of an ordinary citi-
zen. Although thousands Of miles
away from his home, this American
visitor will discover that he does
understand this individual and that
he is understood by him.
Faith in u. S. Assistance
The people Of the Middle East
who are so much closer to the to-
talitarian danger, consider Amer
ican cultural centers great force
for democracy. 1t Is Of great inter-
est to them to note that there Is an
ever-increasing number Of citizens
in the United States who are be-
coming more and more conscious OF
the dangers that democracy runs
from communism. The enlightened
citizens in the countries Of the Mid
die East have been greatly en-
couraged by the growing active in
terest which the United States has
been showing in that part OF the
world. They are placing great faith
In American assistance, not only for
combating communism, but also for
strengthening democracy.
Democracy should, therefore, not
overlook the Importance OF educa-
ton. Unfortunately, however. on
account of the seriousness and i'm
mediacy of the political and eco
nomic factors involved, in the strug-
gle between communism and de-
mocracy, very little attention has
been given to education. In fact,
the American institutions in the
Middle East are facing a desperate
economic crisis. A number Of them
fear that they may have to close be-
cause Of lack of funds. This would
be most unfortunate at time when
people in that part Of the world
have their faith and their hope in
the United States. Now, more than
ever, democracy should utilize edu-
cation as a means OF cultivating the
democratic values. Values like the
sanctity Of the individual, freedom
Justice. are both eternal and uni. z
versal. More and more individuals 8
in that vulnerable part Of the world
= 4 81