Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1899-03-15
A Scheme Of Education.
Cuban Young Idea Will Be Tanght
How TO Shoot.
Establishment of Free Schoola IN the
Province Recommended, Expense
to BE Met With Revenue.

Santiago de Cuba, Correspond
ence OF the Associated Press. THE
report Of board appointed by Bri-
gradier-General Wood 20 formulate a
scheme for public education in the
province OF Santiago has been made
public,
TIE problem OF educating the
Cuban and Spanish children has been
handled at length and in masterly
way. The report is perfected by a
detailed description OF the existing
educational system, and brings out
the point that under Spanish rule
Cuba was afforded the advantage of a
system that compared well with any
of those now in use by Eng.ish-speak-
ing races.
However, this system OF education,
Gin the main worthy OF admiration
and imitation 10 use the words of
the board, aud its practical results,
controlled as 10 was. In all essentials
by officials who were wholly aliens in
the country and quite free from all
responsibility 10 the people whose in-
terests were entrusted to them, was the
very thing TO be desired. Doubtless
many departures from the rules and
methods prescribed, resulting in neg
lect, Irregularities aud general con-
fusion. we're due TO the prolonged dis
turhances In the island. The ind fer
erence, caprice, neglect and rapacity
Of thetgoyerning authorities left the
aGmira BILE provisions OF the law with
ont enforcement or application, the
resources OF the scountry were diver.
ted 10 other ends and the result was a
mere shadow Of an educational es p
tablishment, totally inadequate Ia eX-
tent and highly inefliclent in opera
JlOn, so far at least as the primary
and secondary schools were concerned,
No such things as free public school
in the American meaning, exist or
has existed IN Cuba. So far as is
known, there is not single building
nor a foot OF land Ia this province
owned by the people for school pur-
poses, and not single dollar OF en-
nowment for any educational institu-
tion. On these conclusions the board
says:
"The imme dIate need, therefore, OF
the people OF Cuba aud especially Of
this province is a system OF primary
and secondary education, as these
terms are understood In Cuba, or Of
primary, grammar aud high schools,
as schools are graded in the United
States, supported entirely from the
public funds and absolutely free 20 all
children OF school age; adequate 10
number aud 80 distributed as TO meet
the needs OF the entire population;
administered with view 10 the
highest efficiency and the greatest
economy, aud following courses
adapted 20 the changed conditions re-
sulting from the extinction Of Span
lsh sovereignty in the land.
ITO bring this about the lbOard re-
commeuds that first Of all a census be
taken Of all the children 10 the pro-
vince OF school age. The schools must
temporarily be supported by the igen'
eral fund, but the board recommends
that eventually they he supported by
a special tax, levied in each district.
The schools are 20 be dl7ided into
kindergartens, elementary, muoiclpal
aud superior primary schools. High
schools, says the board, should not be
established until the primary schools
are ia good working order.
o" A single university" declares the
the board. SHOULD sufice for entire
island, and the duty OF providing and
maintaining such an institution, a.
we'll as normal schools, special schools
for the deaf mutes aud other schools
and correctional institutions should
be left 20 the general government Of
| Cuba"
Local councils, with one provisional
council, are suggested as the plan OF
government, the members OF sucn
councils 20 receive no salaries.
Religious instruction OF aoy natnre