§ MR. J. M. ROBERTSONI beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Egyptian Ministry of Public Instruction has called upon its English teachers of mathematics and science to qualify themselves either to teach those subjects in Arabic, or to teach history or geography, which latter subjects are still to be taught in English; and, if 1752 so, whether he will advise the British Consul-General in Egypt to represent to the Egyptian Government that the teachiny of history and geography in Arabic in the Egyptian schools is also advisable.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir EDWARD GREY, Northumberland, Berwick)I have no information as to whether the Egyptian Ministry of Public Instruction has made a demand of the nature indicated on its English teachers of mathematics and science, but I will address an inquiry on the subject to His Majesty's Acting Agent and Consul-General at Cairo. As regards the present position of Arabic as a medium of instruction in mathematics and geography, I beg to refer the hon. Member to Sir Eldon Gorst's Report for 1907 (Egypt No. 1, 1908) page 32, paragraph 2, and page 35, paragraph 2, in which it appears that the number of subjects in which instruction in Arabic is being given is being increased.
§ MR. ASHLEY (Blackpool)Is not this instruction given in Arabic at the present time?
§ SIR EDWARD GREYI cannot say without reference to the Report. I know one or two subjects have been added.
§ MR. REES (Montgomery Boroughs)Is it likely that properly qualified teachers in mathematics and science can be obtained if Arabic is insisted upon?
§ SIR EDWARD GREYThe question is a very difficult one to deal with, but I think teaching in Arabic should be encouraged as far as possible.