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Vocational training became concentrated in three basic subjects—psychology, teaching methods and sociology. New programmes and methods of teaching are being implemented in experimental schools under the guidance of foreign and local experts. (B) Teachers : Our educational needs are not yet met in so far as the supply of teachers is concerned. This is especially so in view of the increase in the number of elementary schools which need more and more teachers. The training of school teachers, on the other hand, needs strict attention. In order to increase the knowledge of teachers and also to introduce them to new methods of teaching, training seminars are run every year during the annual vacations under the auspices of the Institute of Education. Such a workshop was also run for the benefit of women teachers of girls' elementary schools for the first time last year. Indeed the Government of Afghanistan places very great importance upon teachers and the teaching profession, as witnessed by the higher scale of pay permitted for them, and the arrangement that even though teachers work only half a day they receive a sort of special pay called "foodgrain allowance." Most important of all is the concession granted to teachers exempting them from military service. This concession is given provided he does not abandon his profession of teaching for a period of six years after he is due to be conscripted into the army. To elevate his position even further, and to impress upon the people the important rôle played by the teacher in society, the Government of Afghanistan has, under ordinance No. 1292/5058, set aside one day in the year as "Teachers' Day." It is a general holiday for all schools and students. This occasion was celebrated on the 3rd of Aqrab, corresponding to the 26th of October last year. The occasion was celebrated with great éclat in all parts of the country with special meetings, celebrations and other functions held in schools and educational institutions to acquaint the people with the place and position of teachers in society. In order to show its appreciation in a more tangible form of the great service being rendered by the teaching com- Schoolboys making full use of Kabul's Public Library 11