The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1878-05-25
TIE PACIFIC
GommcrtialA OOertlser.
81 TURDAT, MA %.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF EDUCA-
TON.


The report of this department of the govern
ment is full Of interest to the public, as showing
what has been done the last biennial period
towards the training of the children of the coun-
try, and fitting them for the proper performance
of their duties when they take their stations
upon the stage Of active life. The criticisms We
NAV have to offer will be made in no carping
spirit, but are intended as suggestions which, if
carried out, we think will add to the efficiency of
the Boards administration of this important
branch of the government service.
I The number of pupils attending schools of all
GLASSES in the Kingdom, at the end of the biennial
period, is given as 6,99l, showing a gain of ten
over the previous period. The fact that there
Is a CAIN, though small, is not only gratifying,
but encouraging, for the returns of the several
previous biennial terms had shown a large and
continuous decrease. This gain will appear still
more prominent, when we learn from the report
that the decrease in four years, from 1872 to
1876, amounted to no less than 1906 There is
an apparent decrease since 1876, of the number
of children attending the common schools, of
1876 but this decrease is more than made up by
an increase of 1876 pupils in the select and Eng
SLOO / lLO oALAS bAhAS' LIN ]NDAS
also show an excess of 991 boys over girls, but
the cause of this disparity is not satisfactorily
explained. We think it is undoubtedly owing
to an excess of births of boys over girls but it
may prove to be attributable to the greater soil
citude OF the part of parents for the welfare of
their boys. This is an erroneous and injurious
idea on their part, and no influence that can be
brought to bear to remove it from their minds
should be neglected.
The three classes Of chools-Government Com
mon Schools, Government Select Schools, and
independent Schools-number 222, with a total
of 6991 scholars, 80 scholars to each school,
nearly. The Common Schools number 1863,
with an attendance of 1918. or an average of
25 to each the Select Schools, II, attendance
943, average 85 to each, and the Independent
Schools, -, with an attendance OF 1875, an
average of Al to each. Let US look at the sums
expended on these schools out of the apprOpria-
ton of $38 600 voted for their support by the
Legislature Of 1876. For Lahainaluna Semi
nary, and repairs, there was expended $4,000,
(S3, 900 repairs); number of students, SIS of
teachers, 8. In the coming July there is to be
four teachers, or Is scholars to each teacher.
but GS lUlS IL lllS plluCIpdl cCuOOI L lIC SOuAI
for the preparation of teachers for all the other
government schools, it is necessary that the corps
of teachers should be sufficiently numerous to
impart thorough instruction to each scholar, and
to accomplish this end the number Of scholars to
each teacher must be limited. To this, no rea-
sonable objection can be advanced. The Board
has decided, in response to the popular demand,
that the English language shall be the chief
medium of instruction hereafter. This shows a
feeling on the part of the people that will surely
lead to good results. One of the most encourag-
ing features in connection with this school, and
one that holds out the most hope, is that the
students appear orderly and Industrious, and
seem anxious to improve their advantages. The
methods of instruction are thorough and efficient.
The most prominent of our English Day
Schools is the Royal School. Its popularity is
increasing, which is shown by the large accession
of pupils in the past few months. The gradu-
ates of this school are reported as doing well.
\ most pleasing fact is stated in the report, and
one that we would like to see followed generally
if possible, which is, the interest the principal
takes in the welfare Of the graduates, following
them with his counsels and advice. This school
has a corps of six teachers, with a roll of 277
scholars, with an average of 46 pupils to each
teacher. An excellent rule has been introduced
into all the English Day Schools that of charg.
ing a small tuition fee. The effect of this will
be to make the parents feel a greater personal
interest in the progress and advancement of their
children.
(The number of Independent Schools is forty
two, with ,735 pupils-an average of Al to each
school. Five of these schools receive govern
ment aid. The first mentioned in the Report is
the Kawaiahao Female Seminary this school
has four teachers, and a roll of 33 pupils eight
to each teacher. Their training and proficiency
in study ought to be most thorough. Over
81 600 was granted in aid of this seminary.
The Hilo Boarding School for Boys has an at
tendance of As, with four teachers, and received
aid to the amount of 81 800. This school holds
a high rank among those of its class instruction
is now impaired IN both languages, but it is the
intention of the trustees to change the curricu-
lum of study entirely to English. When this is
done, Lahainaluna Will have to guard we'll its
laurels.
There are many other schools named in the
Report which want of space forbids our noticing.
The report closes with some well-grounded re-
marks about the dlthculty OF obtaining proper
persons to act as school agents and supervisors.
The duties of the Board are made somewhat diff
fcult at times by conflicting interests of the va
rious districts but with an efficient Inspector
General and a Clerk thoroughly conversant with
the business of the department, it continues, we
believe, to enjoy the entire confidence of the
country.
There is one thing we should desire to see
changed. The department expended "a ,496 for
school books, and received for the sales of the
same the sum of S., $50. Now the most of this
thousand dollars profit must have come out of
the pockets of the poor, who are lily able to bear
it, anxious although they be that their children
shall enjoy all the advantages that our school
system can place within their reach. The school
tax for 1877 exceeded the previous year by
about 81, 900. With a school fund of nearly
S45 900 IN the national treasury, bearing inter
ess at the rate of u per cent. per annum, we
think the Department would do we'll to let par
ents have books for their children at cost price.