New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-07-30
ARGENTINE SCHOOLS.
YANKEE TEACHERS AND METHoDsaN THEd
sorrrH AMERICAN REPUBIIO

,,. 49, .cc ,s,ox.I CORR EsrospENT OF THE rRrBuNR.]
puenos Ayres May 16.-I have been greatly sur
pr1sed to find IN all the larger towns Of the Argentine
Republic Government normal schools directed by
teachers from the United States. Upon former
visit some twenty years ago, found the people in the
Argentine Republc densely ignorant and bigoted, and
the only schools those directed by the Church.
These we're not numerous and were taught entirely By
nuns Reading and writing and htfe enlbroid-
cry and religious tnstrucuon-such was the only
learning impaired.
In 1865 General Sarmiento was elected President.
The history Of this Is strange and varied one
Born in the rural province of San Juan, be largely
educated himself He early became mbued with
liberal IDEAS and tried to form party OF progress
in his native province Having attracted the notice
of the tyrant RoSas then Dictator Of the country,
he had 10 seek refuge in Chill. There he taught
school for many years and published several pamph-
lsts upon educational subjects. After tho death of
Rosas Sarmiento returned to hts home and after
crediabe service In the army before the pacihcaton
of the country accomplished, he was unanimously
elected Governor of his native province of san juan
In 1864 he appointed Argentine Minister at
Washington. while in the United states. he became
well acquainted with the leading educators and made
careful study OF school systems. He translated many
of the textbooks into Spanish, and wrote several
descriptive works regarding the schools colleges and
methods of teaching These books were largely cir
cuated throughout all the Spanish Republics. and
obtained for Ssrmiento the cognomen OF the schooi
master Of South America" General sarmiento re-
mained enthusiast upon educational matters until
his death in Paraguay in september. 1858. at an
advanced age
When Sarmfento returned TO Buenos Ayres IN 1868,
President of the Republic, he was in position 10
influence the adoption of system of general educa-
don. He had become deeply impressed with the
value Of education in the civilization and development
Of a country AT first he met with great oppositloa,
Int hv tenf
norance of his counrymen as compared with citizens
of the United States and the woddeTful progress Of
tue latter country, he brought the Congress 10 sane
ton his educational schemes. number OF teachers,
principally young women, were carefully selected IN
the United States and induced, by the offer OF large
salaries 10 come out the Argentine All Of their
expenses were paid. and they had six months In
which TO learn Spanish. The capitals of several OF
the provinces were selected the places for the
first Normal schools, or Schools of Application, as
they are called. Two more of the teachers were
placed together Their work for time was very dis
couragiDg aud they needed all the enthusiastic sup
port Of President sameno and his friends to over
come the conservative opposition of the priests to the
attendance Of the children. Gradually, however,
they gained in the public estimation by their strict
attention TO their legitimate duties, and avoidance OF
even the appearance of efforts 10 influence the religious
belief of their pupils, and intelligent and progressive
people in the different communities soou appreciated
the advantages of the new system over the old.
At present there Schools of Application In every
province OF the Republic. In. addition, there are
three Normal coeges-two at Buenos Ayres aud one
at Parana. The Schools of Application are all IN
charge of the forty teachers from the United States.
They receive salaries ranging from So 600 10 $4,000
year in the National currency, but as the Argentine
worth only seventy CENTS in gold, their actual
incomes about One-thtd less. These salaries
appear large as compared with salaries in the United
States but 1t must remembered that these teachers
o,fo1lv TOD nd reallV
educational system Of country probably destined to
be the weahiest and most popuOus IN south
America Their teaching has contributed largely TO
the advancing civilization of the people and the
almost amazing material progress of the republic.
The graduates of the Schools of Application
ENTITLED TO places as teachers in the schools
throughout the country. As the Government common
school system IS now well established, every village
has teacher who is the product of the North American
system In addition 10 the book knowledge obtained
at the School of Application and tho practical knOwl
edge of their duties, these teachers during the several
years of attendance have imbibed advanced ideas
of civilization and progress And these they enthu-
sfastscally spread in every community, until admira
lion for the United States is excessive and far above
that for any European nation.
One curious fact in connection with the Introduction
of United states teachers was that the few men at
first employed not at all successful. Perhaps
owing TO their lack of patience want Of tact they
did not give satisfaction, and were soon dismissed
Since then only women have been employed. Their
contracts are usually for three years, but many OF
them aftor short visits TO their homes, renew their
engagements and in several Instances they have re-
turned more than have met a number OF them
and found them all TO be refined and intelligent
women They hold the highest place In every com
munity and are greatly respected and sought after by
the wealtbiest and most influential families in native
socetr MANY of them have considerable influence
with the leading Of the Republic, and their advice
Is not nfrequently sought especially regarding educa
tlonal matters.
was impressed with the fact that nearly all the
teachers met were from the Western States Frooa-
ply the best and most influential teacher IN 'he
Argentine is Miss A. J. Morrow, formerly principal
nj the school at IeavenwOrth, Kan. She is now In
charge of a large private school at Bucnos Ayes
having recently resigned her place under the Gov
eminent Miss Choate, from Minnesota and Miss
Howard from Indiana, have also surrendered 'helr
Government places in order TO join Miss Morro"
The three Misses Armstrong are well known in many
,ar,s NJ the Republc for their intelligence and &C
comn,sbments Mrs Gillies graduate of the schools
~ g Ious is now Drecoria" of the girls Normal
School and also superintendent of Public instruction
at Rosario the second city I'm the Republic she hoO
only nspects all the city schools but delivers weekly
lecture 10 the whole body Of over 100 teachers MIS-
GulIes's place and salary are probably the best OF
any teacher I'm the Argentine About a year ago a
,uss Reid came 10 Montevideo from Guatemala,
where she had been teaching for three years in the
Government Normal School, Through inc ninuonoc
NJ United States Minister Bacon, she was appointed
c,n.,,n,endent of the Government schools of Para
,,.v AT a handsome salary. Miss Reid IS bright
and intelligent young lady, and having thorough
knowledge of Spanish. has already accomplished won
oers In waking up the ignorant Paraguayans. IL IS
singular circumstance that not one Of tho many teach
ers IN the Argentine has ever married spsnlard l'al
,.n or native A number of the teachers have. how
-.r married wealthy Englshmen, and several Others
have become wealthy through fortunate investments
In land. ,,- -. ~,
In Juiy. 1858, visited the Normal College at Pa
rama Its graduates receive the degree OF pioesso ano
90 a,nontmenfs teachers In the Schools