The Topeka state journal., 1899-12-18
PORTO RICO SCHOOLS.
Great Advancement Made Since
American Occupation.

GREAT Advancement Made since
American Occupation.
| Correspondence of Associated Press. ]
San Juan, Porto Rico. Dec. 12.-Since
the American occupation great strides
| have been made in the public school
system of Porto Rico. A board of edu-
cation was organized consisting Of five
mem Ders-three Porto Ricans and two
Americans Each municipality in the
island now has its American teacher
about IS being employed. There are
some 800 spanish teachers. The schools
are now held in houses separated from
the houses of the teachers, and modern
text books in English and Spanish are
used All public schools are under
American supervision The school year
has been reduced from u to 9 months
and salaries have been increased some
what, being placed on the American
currency basis.
Ground has been broken for the es-
tablishment of a normal and industrial
school at FajardO, on the northern
coast. This school viii open during the
scribed 100000 toward its construction
and the lnSular government a like sum.
A modern training school under
American teachers has been eSta bliSh-
ed in San Juan in an up-tO-date school
building About 250 pupils mostly POr-
to RicanS. are studying in this school.
All courses are in English and English
text books are used exclusively. The
grades range from kindergarten
through college prepa aratOrV
Last spring a similar school with sim
liar grades was started at Ponce with
American teachers, but under private
auspices. This is now a public school
with an enrolment of 25O
It is the policy of the department to
organize good American schools. giving
instruction in English and this is being
done as fast as funds permit in order
that native schools may be remOdeled
upon an American basis, by following
the methods Of American instructors
Under the Spanish regime, there was
no graduation from the schools and
few pupils would be found beyOnS the
third year of their course. Fifteen per
cent of the people read and write and Of
these One-third have been taught in
their own homes or in private schools
or in other countries than Porto Rico.
For some years many have been sent
to the United States for their educa-
uOn. No religious instruction is per
m1tted. The children appear very eager
to learn English and seem to pick it up
with remarkable aptitude. The teach
erS employed are from the United
States and are mostly young normal
graduates with modern methOdS. The
department is about to issue a teachers
manual 1t publishes a regular bulle-
tin. in both languages, for teachers
and provides pedagogical literature
Spanish and English periodicals are
also supplied to the schools.
The present system has been a great
success and although it has only been
One-fifth of the total school population
is already provided for. Governor Gen
eral Davis has caused to be apprO-
priated twelve per cent of the total
taxes of the island for educational pur-
poses, instead of six per cent as former
ly. He takes a personal interest in the
school question ,inspects the schools per-
sOnally and is cordially supporting the
of American methods.
The great bane of the schools is poll
ties, a large per cent of the male teach
erS are politicians Some are agitating
against the new system as detrimental
to their own interests. Most of the
teachers, however, heartily cooperate
with reforms.
A board of school trustees for each
town is elected by the people; and cleo
island. For the first time the school
organization is separate from the
organization. A great i'm
prOvement is already observed in the
larger towns, especially in the accom-
organization, discipline and
grading. A better sanitary condition
also exists.
The native teachers resent to some
extent having their personal habits in
terfered with by the supervisors. They
are forbidden to smoke, to take their
meals in the school rooms while classes
are being held, or to leave the school
in charge of pupils They are required
to be prompt and regular in the per
fOrmance of their duties. This resent
ment will die out as old habits are
broken up. and as the teachers come to
rather than as a beaurocrtic
class with certain privileges. No Op-
position whatever has been offered to
the introduction of English.