The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1882-07-15
Report of the Examining Committee of
Oahu College.

ENSpOfI 01 the examining COMMITTED OF
Oahu College.
To The TRusrgss OF Oahu COLLEGE Your
Committee appointed on the Examining Board,
beg leave to state that, IN so far as they We're able,
in a two day. oral examination TO see, the disci-
pline and progress of the students were in the
main. most satisfactory, We NAV say, however.
in this connection, that We believe no board of
examiners, however competent they may be, are as
capable of judging OF the progress and attainments
of students as their instructors.
Nothing can do this except a we'll conducted
written examination. Such an examination, with
questions covering the ground, passed over during
the year, either published, or to which access may
be had by the patrons and friends of the College
would do far more in our opinion TO give a correct
knowledge of the status of the College than the
present system.
Oral examinations are known by all examining
anything like the comparative standing of scholars.
some may get easy Questions, and answer them
glibly, while others may get difficult ones and not
answer them at ali and yet be the far better
scholars. Then the very fact of teachers knowing
the ordeal is coming at the end of every year,
causes them TO spend a month or more IN what Is
known as =" examining" A knowledge of all this
has caused school committees and teachers in all
the most advanced centers of learning to abandon
in q great measure, this oral system.
In the mechanical routine and discipline, with
out which no institution can give the best results
aimed at, Oahu college ranks deservedly high.
The Importance of thorough discipline, maintained
by prhaulty and kindness, yet with frmneSs and
dignity. cannot be too highly estimated.
We are pleased TO report that in the branches of
study pursued, there seemed to be readiness of
answer. and familiarity with the subject, on the
part of the pupils. In the higher classes in history
and mental philosophy, the students recited I'M
derstandingly, and appeared not by any means
exhausted, but 10 possess a reserve OF power after
their examinations.
We only wonder that any real solid results have
been obtained in chemistry and physics, when We
think OF the apparatus available for illustration.
1t would be as rational to expect good work from
n farmland without tools, as to expect to see
good results from any Instructor in these branches,
If he have not the apparatus with which 10 accom-
piiSh those results.
We have seldom seen students more ready,
quicker at catching the meaning of the original,
or reader in translating. than Mr.. Pratt's students
in the classics. This fact is the more worthy of
mention. when we consider that this gentleman
teaches from the very ru6iments of arithmetic
through Homer in the Greek. 1t will be a decided
step in the right direction, when the upper and
lower departments of theColIege are separated
and We hear with great satisfaction that the
Trustees have decided so to do. This change
will be most beneficial to both departments. 1t
will give the overworked instructors of the College
proper, more time 10 devote 10 a more congenlal
work and it will enable the teachers who have
charge of the primary school to organize more
thoroughly, and to prepare better qualified candl-
dates for admission into the higher school. 1t will
also enable the College to raise the standard of
scholarship by raising its standard of admission.
We cannot but feel the Importance in this cOnnec-
ton TO point out the fact, that we believe the
cause of education in the Hawaiian Islands would
be greatly enhanced, could it be arranged and
understood that Oahu College undertook
TO give and did give what, in the United
States would be called a good High School educa-
ton that II prepared the Hawaiian youth to enter
any college at home, in any one of three depart
mentS. ana that all VINO enter Its portals must
pursue one or the other of the three courses.
Those who do not wish a classical course could
take either the scientific or literary one and then,
though they never see a college, they are well
equipped in an educational point of view, for iifes
responsibilities. If this would be understood, and
that the schools IN Honolulu prepared pupils
thoroughly, TO a point where they could enter the
high school course, and no further, We believe
education in Honolulu would receive an impetus,
and attain 4 vigor, hitherto unknown,
This indicated change would give the teachers,
in the so called public schools in Honolulu more
TTv-n 20 10 nrarIa work hIrf h1pl NOT nan
TO devote a large portion of their time to four or
five students IN a partial high school course, and
doing no work thoroughly. 1t would give, also, all
students who would go to Oahu College, all the
advantages of a ~systematized course of instruction.,
after a good primary and grammar school drill.
The pupils of the school, so far as We noticed,
showed fair attainments IN mathematics and IN
the higher classes, taught by Miss Winter, ex-
celled especially one class In Comic Sections. 1t
Is unfortunate that the College should lose this
pains-taking and highly gifted teacher.
IF 10 nhysicians and two Iavmen. in This very
interesting study, and came of damaged by none
and this evidently Woodworking teacher, has
the assistance of the cheap and splendid physlolO-
gical charts, now so easily obtained. 1t shows
how readily children take TO any OF the natural
sciences.
The lower class in history seemed we'll up in the
ordinary list of dates, battles, etc. 1t is a
question whether the overlooking of the
child's mind with the inpsde0'eHta OF history does
not weaken, rather than strengthen the mind.
This process of teaching history, the world over,
ought TO be changed.
We were pleased 70 observe some efforts in
grammar TO teach by use, rather than by rule;
though il is difficult everywhere to change the old
order of things.
It Is astonishing what results can be obtained
by a we'll systematized course in the use of Ian
guage. if begun in the lowest. and continued
through the highest grades of school.
Although. We have no doubt that the elements OF
English Literature have been taught during the
year. we saw no evidence of 1t in the examinations;
omitted. no doubt. from the want of time. Ger
taiulv no Young man nor woman should be gradu-
ated from Oahu College, without a knowledge Of
the richness OF their mother tongue. and without
knowing Just where 10 find its richest gems OF
literature.
Around the walls, were to be noticed some very
good specimens of drawing. Yet we think a diff
.erent system, Of perspective drawing and from
objects. more satisfactory and useful.
We can most heartily congratulate those inter
ested III the educational advantages enjoyed at
Oahu College. in having an accomplished teacher
OF music such as Mrs. Hanford has proved. HeT
pupils appeared we'll in both vocal and instru
mental music. Her abilities combined with those
OF President Jones. afford excellent advantages 70
the pupils Of theinstitution.
The exercise OF the graduating class, at Fort
Street Church, were very credltaole, IN most re-
spects. to the institution. The thought and mat
ter OF the o~ratiOns and essays were OF q high order.
If. perhaps. 4 little defective IN the manner OF de
livery. We cannot help but think that all who
have attended these exercises. recognise the work
done by the body of the Instructors. and the
general good behavior OF the students.
s. E. DOLE,
SAML 9. DAMON.
c. l. RoDGEEs,