regrettable is that among the branches of the Lebanese University there should be no branch for elementary teaching; and I do not know how we are to prepare teachers for the secondary schools before we have laid the foundation for the elementary schools!"
To another question Mr. Kubetska replied:
"This school is not 'American'; it is a school in whose establishment the American 'Point Four' is taking part, on sound educational foundations, and as soon as it is on a firm footing it will be attached to the government apparatus, for it is a school that follows the Lebanese government curriculum."
From his talk I saw that Mr. Kubetska is thoroughly versed in his subject and alive to its fine points. And I watched the measure of confidence and cooperation in the work between
him and the principal in charge — how he would welcome her suggestions and approve them, then discuss certain problems with her until they reached a solution that satisfied them both!
The principal gave me some minutes of her time, in which she acquainted me with the program she intends — lately in America — and that in her inmost heart is a longing to make our government elementary schools in Lebanon a second picture, brighter of face than they are now!!..
And while we were watching the children at their midday meal,
scattered over the rocks in the shade of a passing cloud, each child hugging his lunch and devouring it hungrily, I heard from the principal's lips some charming things that deserve to be set down — among them the story of the four children whom the "bus" left behind on the first day: they simply set out on foot in dead earnest, caring nothing for the length of the way, until they reached the school after a march of two hours and more!!
If this tale proves anything, it proves the children's eagerness and the measure of the value they set on the school. And this
A group of the school's teachers
From the left:
Front row: Miss Nahla Marwa (the principal) and Mrs. Ravenel
Second row: the Misses Anouti, Nahhas, and Majdalani, and Mrs. Kostorf
Third row: Mrs. Bange, Miss Zeitoun, Mrs. Kaser and Mrs. Dimashqiyah.