The Hawaiian gazette., 1890-07-15

posed to be maintained by the Edu-
cation Bureau as follows
Total number of births 1889. 1882
Total number of deaths 1889. ,76I
| Excess OF births. ...... IL
1t will probably give the Elele
occasion to boil over and explode
with rage and charges of dishon-
esty, etc., because it appears that
the appropriation of $4,000 for
building and repair of school
houses having been exhausted the
business was still continued in dis
tricts having large amount from
school tax. 1t is suggested that it
be made punishable offense to
employ children within the school
age. But the Board intimate that
in some cases where examinations
show that the child has acquired
what the law requires, he might
be released from further compul-
sorry attendance at school. The
Government does nothing in line
with the work carried on by the
girls family boarding schools, and
till it does limited and restricted
aid to these schools IS suggested.
This policy was recommended to
the Legislature of 1886 by the Spe-
cal committee on school matters.
That report also urged the import
ance of maintaining supervisory
control by the Government by
coupling with such aid the power
of visitation. The present report
supports and advances that view.
1t is to be hoped that it will not be
relaxed. No public funds ought to
be appropriated for school work
where the Government provides
like instruction, and where such
instruction is not furnished, then
any aid should be limited and
granted in no case where not
accompanied with the power of
visitation.
Under the admirable direction of
the Inspector General, backed by
an intelligent Board, much progress
has been made in preparing cur
riculum for the schools which will
be best suited for all ages and con-
ditions to be met in scholars. The
course of study covers twelve
years. The attempt is made to ac-
quaint children with practical mat
tiers of every day life, and to make
the English language taught of
like practical use. The schools of
the country are now engaged in
supplanting and obliterating the
national language. Yet it is the
uEdoubted desire of the Hawaiians,
who recognize English as the road
to business and social opportunity.
In preparing the course of study,
regard has also been had to ex-
pense, and it is shown that for the
first five years scholars need be put
to the expense of S275 for books
and apparatus. AS examples of the
work actually accomplished in
English teaching, a few examples
are given which were taken at
random from the states of several
children in country school. A
long step in advance has been
taken in our educational affairs in
establishment and maintenance of
teachers conventions, examina-
lions and normal classes. By these
means it is hoped that we shall not
depend so much on foreign coun-
tries for our teachers in the future
AS said in the report: Bleaching
is no longer haphazard work, it is
science, and the unframed teacher
must founder along until he blum
ders upon something like the right
path, but to reach this he wastes
much precious material in the |
shape of brains and intelligence of
the rising generation" RI
q The modern teacher can only be |
obtained by training" 1t is to |
train teachers that these were
established, and the cost of them is
money well spent by the country. |
Attendance by teachers ought to |
be made compulsory by law. Two
appendices give the papers
handed applicants for teachers
certificates in the recent examina-
tions. An examination of them
shows that a fool cannot become
teacher in this country any more,
if he ever could. The subject of |
manual training in the schools re-
ceives brief notice. Some consid-
Grafton has been given to it, but
no detailed plan has yet been
evolved. 1t is, however, stated
that it is proposed to take steps
toward introducing such training
at an early day. The address de-
livered at the closing exercises of
Oahu College few evenings ago
by President Merritt, gives prom
inence to another subject not
touched upon in the report. 1t is
Il