Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-08
INDIANS IN THE SCHOOLS
Attendance Less, but Education on a Better
Basis.
Report OF the COmmissfoner - Free
Lunch Given Children i'm
the Day Schools.

Indian education during the past year"
says the commissioner of Indian affairs in
his annual report, ''has not shown such
growth III the matter of school attendance
as has been noted in previous years, yet
II Is on better basis than ever before. In
the development OF its educational pan the
Indian Office seeks permanent rather than
quick, results in the uplifting of the In
dams to a higher industrial and social
plane, and the facilities for education have
been enlarged and improved as a wider
experience has Dictated
Inc enrolment IN all the Indian schools,
government and church schools. in 1896
was 2S.5'2. and in 1897 p, 96i, a decrease Of
9 ,vo.. me average attendance was 1a2s2 in
1876 and 1876 in 1897, a decrease of $50
mere were in operation during the past
liScai year, the report says, '.2SS Indian
SCHOOLS conducted Under various auspices,
oi Whicn number 234 were under the ex-
elusive control of the government This Is
an increase of eleven schools over the
pumber in operation last year
mere were educated in government res
erVation schools last year" the report
says, S,112 Indian children, a slight de-
crease in number from the previous year,
which results from the abandonment of
one school and the conversion of Others
into day schools. Reservation schools
situated in the heart of the Indian country
are perpetual reminders of the civilization
winch lies outside the reservation. Here
the Indian parent can occasionally see his
cnlidren, note their progress and involun-
tarily receive some idea of the benefits OF
education"
The efficiency of these schools has been
largely Increased and the personnel OF their
employees improved. The curriculum adopt
ed for them is the outgrowth of years of
careful study of their requirements The
majority of them have large commodious
ana well-arranged buildings. while others
conveniences. An Industrial training more
or less varied. is given, but, of course it is
not SO extensive and elaborate as that at
the larger non-reservation schools. In
creased facilities for industrial training
rave been introduced into a large number
or them, and special attention is paid to
teaching domestic work farming stock
raising, blacksmithing and such branches
DIS VIII pest mt the pupils for the vocations
life. ~ CIV
The third class of schools comprises the
cay schools. These correspond more nearly
in country hamlets. Situated in the midst
Oh the Indian communities, the early pro-
cesses of education are carried on upon
the threshold of their own homes
The new day school buildings have been
constructed in accordance with approved
methods of ventilation. heating, etc At
tSched or closely contiguous has been
placed the teachers residence and indus
simple industrial and domestic arts is
taught Every teacher is urged to make his
school bright, typical American home so
that it may be an object lesson to the In
clans who daily visit it.
Many day schools are situated among
TIE very poor classes of Indians, and as
the little cnes often come long distance
after only scanty meal ut home a plain
but wholesome monday lunch is usually
served. hungry children can not be ex-
pectea 10 DO effective work: hence the re-
suit of this policy is better attention to
lessons as well as more regular attendance
upon the daily sessions
OF contract schools the report states:
There arc orly two Protestant contract
schools Bay Mills. in Michigan. 5000. and
.lohn Roberts. Shoshone agency. Wye,
y, iGo, d total of 81. go. which. deducted
from the Sl59,326. leaves S156. 166 as the
amount available for distribution among
Catholic schools for the fiscal year fSlS''
The general conditions prevailing on each
or the Indian reservations are reviewed.
Tne report compares the appropriation
Ter the fiscal year ending June 80. lSgS.
with the previous year, showing net in
crease of $ai2, 124, the amount for 1875 be-
ing s., $40.