The Washington times., 1901-12-26
LUZON PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
superintendent Given wide Power
ut First Necessarily.


In its last report on the condition Of
the public school system as established
by them in the Philippines, the Taft Com
mission states that considerable progress
has been made, considering the apathy
with which the average Filipino regards
any measure conducive to his advance
ment or that OF his family.
The commission says, prior 10 its pre-
ceding report, that the work done in es-
tablishing and carrying on public schools
was without systematic organization. end
the first important step was the appoint
ment OF general superintendent who
was given most extensive power.
He was authorized to establish schools;
TO appoint division superintendent.
teachers. and clerks authorized by law,
and prescribe the duties of such teachers
and clerks; TO fix salaries within the
limits established by law: to establish
curricula for primary. secondary, and
other public schools; to divide the islands
into school divisions; to fix the relation
between the principal teacher and other
teachers, and to perform certain other
ministration and control of the schools.
The law establishing the system Of
public instruction provided also thai as
soon as practicable the English language
would be made the basis of all public in
struction, and the general superintendent
was authorized to obtain from the United
States 600 trained teachers at monthly
salaries OF not less than $75 and not more
than sl25. the exact saihry Of each teach
er TO be fixed b. the general superintend-
ent.
Regarding the arrival of American
teachers in the islands. the commission
exhibited great interest in being sure
that every accommodation was afforded
them, especially the women
Anticipating the arrival Of this large
number OF persons. arrangements had
been made to receive them and to enter
tain them during the few days they were
expected TO remain in Manila before go
ing 10 the towns 10 which they were as
signed. on enquiry II was found that
there we're no adequate accommodations
for them in the hotels or in any building
suited for the purpose in the city. II
was then determined to provide quarters
for them on the exposition grounds
The central. or administration. building
was repaired and cleaned and furnished
for the accommodation of the women
Two of the large nipa barracks. built for
the American soldiers were useI as
quarters for the single men. and several
small nipa buildings that had been used
as officers quarters were turned over to
the teachers with families Three or four
OF the other permanent buildings were
used for different purposes; one was re
paired and used as a dining room. anoth-
or wss used ;Is quarters for families that
could not enter the officers barracks. and
still another was used as a storeroom for
baggage.
The hest medical attendance was sun
piled the teachers, aud. as a consequence.
when thes were sent to their posts
throughout the archipelago none was
aumering from impaired health due to
the conditions Of residence In Manila.
\ few we're in poor condition physically
when they landed. and one. Mr. W $
Davis. died few weeks later. He had
been assigned 20 Moncada, In the province
OF Tarlac. and later went TO the military
hospital AT Dagupan for an operation for
appendicitis. The case was. however. so
far advanced that no relief was possible
lie LEFT a wife and Ave children under
seven years OF age The military author
tiles at Moncada, DagupaE and elsewhere
as well as the teachers. rendered every
assistance possible and Mrs Davis and
the children were brought to Manila to
wait for transportation to the United
states. In the meantime the Manila
American. daily newspaper. started 4
subscription. and sum amounting 10
somewhat more than $1,000 In gold was
raised and presented TO Mrs. Davis.
In assigning teachers 10 their work.
careful attention was given TO reports
OF the division superintendents who had
already visited their divisions. and to the
requests from military officers, presidents
Of the municipalities. and other pei sons
Interested in the welfare OF the schools.
In determining the towns TO which Eng
lish teachers should be sent, it was found
desirable TO favor the larger Earr isoned
towns and those manilcsting their loyalty
by their peoeeful condition. The qucs-
ticn as to the possibility OF finding
quarters for women teachers had always
to be taken into consideration, and some
times the fact OF the presence or the
absence of other American women in
towns proposed was decisive.
The married couples, where botf were
qualified teachers. were usually assigned
TO towns requiring but one man and one
woman teacher and ordinarily thc--Yomen
were sent in twos for companionship and
mutual assistance.
The preferences OF teachers as TO place
Of assignment and companions ,Sere asked
to be mad known, and SO iar as .<sIiblc
intimate friends were assigned TO :he
same town or vicinity; and in cases where
relatives or friends were in the military
or civil service. due consideration was
given TO this fact.