The director of the reformatory, Mr. Habib Halihel.
reading and writing.
Q: What are the working hours in the reformatory, and how are they divided?
A: The working hours are eight... of these, three and a half hours are set aside for instruction, which includes the Arabic language, arithmetic, geography and history... and other general knowledge; and four and a half hours are set aside for the industrial work.
Q: And what are your industrial trades... and how are the juveniles distributed among them?
A: Our industrial sections are four: carpentry, in which 18 boys work; shoemaking, with 18 as well; the tailoring section, with 12 boys; and the blacksmithing and tinsmithing section, with 11... and four work in the kitchen.
Q: Do you impose the trade upon the juvenile?
A: No; we leave him the choice of the section he wants.
Q: Do the juveniles incline more to schooling than to a trade?
A: They show a great inclination toward the trades, because they are poor in circumstance and want to master a trade that will secure their livelihood after they leave the reformatory.
Q: And what is the juveniles' state of health?
A: The juveniles come to us sick, complaining of anemia; but here they recover, thanks to the good climate — the climate of Bhannes — the good food, and the ordered life... And our motto is: a sound mind and a sound character in a sound body...
Q: Do the juveniles undergo a medical examination?
A: Of course; they pass a medical examination every week.
Q: What is your daily program?
A: The juveniles rise at half past five in the morning in summer, and at six o'clock in winter... They wash, take exercise, and do the cleaning work and the preparing of breakfast until eight o'clock; then they study until ten; then they do the industrial work until twelve; then they lunch and rest until half past one; then they resume the industrial
work until four; then they play athletic games until half past five; then they study until seven in the evening... After that they take supper and sit up until the time comes to go to bed, at half past eight.
