Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1901-05-29
What SCHOOLS COST
INTERESTING DETAILS OF
The new YORK REPORT
Average Salary for Teachers is S6O4,78
a Year---Teaching Patriotism
Millions Spent for
Education.

report, State Superintendent of Public
Instruction Charles r. Skinner empha-
sizes the necessity of thoroupbness in
elementary studies and expresses the
conviction that the most urgent need
of our public school system to-day is
more thorough work in elementary
subjects, such as language. arithmetic,
history and geography. The Superin-
tendent says the demands upon pupils
time now are excessive, and IL more
subjects are to be crowded into the
curriculum Il follows that something
must be displaced.
After briefly referring to the ques-
ton of unification affecting his depart
ment and the regents and to the quiet
and harmonious condition which has
prevailed since the agitation of a year
ago, the Superintendent SAYS that
whatever irritation and friction may
have existed in past years can never be
fully avoided until the law of 1853 is
repealed.
The Superintendent urges the ne
cessity of enlarging the powers of
School Commissioners. particularly in
reference to the consolidation of school
districts and the transportation of
school children who live remote from
schoolhouses. The tendency of the
rural population toward the cities Is
forcefully illustrated by the figures
quoted, and II Is demonstrated that the
rural school problem is changing and
the question of furnishing adequate
school facilities.in such districts is rap
idly becoming complicated.
The Superintendent points out the
fact that no change has been made in
the annual APPROXIMATION for the free
school fund since 1890, and that
since that time the increase of school
teachers. especially in cities. has been
so great the money apportioned as
teacbers' ouotas nearly exhausts the
free school fund. leaving nothing for
apportionment on the basis of popula-
ton. He recommends the increase of
this fund by the next Legislature from
81. $50 900 to $4,000 600.
The Compulsory Attendance law is
beinp iudiciously enforced. and the
steady growth in the total enrolment
and average daily attendance is the
hest criterion of the wisdom of the law
and the efficiency of its enforcement.
Reference Is made TO the educational
exhibit of New York State at the Paris
Exposition. and n list of the awards
granted the schools and educational in
stitutions situated in New York State
IL added. New York had in Group !
Education. 70 exhibitors, and these ex.
hibitors received IA grand prizes, q
gold medals. 10 silver medals. 5 bronze
medals. 2 honorable mentions.
The Superintendent says that the
Manual of Patriotism, authorized b,
the Legislature of 1900. has been sup
plied TO every public school in tn,
state and has met with marked favor
and that while It is a debatable ques
t,on in some minds whether patriotism
can he taught. there Is no question that
Il can be fostered and strengthened by
the influences of the best literature or
the subject.
Some of the most striking statistic!
are given in the following figures:
The sum expended fer the mainten
ance Of the public schools of the Stat,
during the last school year was $685.
421 491 an increase of 81, 3GS, 800 ovei
the preyious wear. This increase Is at
tributable for the most part to tn,
A..