West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1901-07-25
ANOTHER SCHEME
For Subduing and ClyIlizing the
FilOpinOs.

Within the past few days a pro-
cession Of several hundred men and
women have been hurrying across
the continent. Their destination
will be the Philippine Islands, whsre
they are to teach the little Filipinos
the y b c of the English language.
The transport Thomas has been
many times across the Pacific, but
never has it carried a human cargo
of educators. When it left San
Francisco on the 25rd of this month
il had passenger list of about 6oo
souls, nearly every one of whom
had been teacher in this country.
and who now proposes to spend
the next three years under a trop-
ical sun, surrounded by children OF
yellow skin.
The school teachers for the Phil
ippines are being generously treated
by the government. They are
given transportation across the con
tinent to San Francisco, including
their sleeping car fare, and they are
also TO be carried across the Pacific
without expense. More than this,
they are allowed to take with them
any members of their families who
may desire to make the trip, al
though these additional members of
the party must provide their own
transportation to San Francisco,
the government carrying them from
that port to Manila free Of charge.
There will be on the Thomas, there
fore, quite number of relatives of
teachers.
The pay to be given the school
teachers ranges from SIS to sIas a
month, in gold, which is worth
twice as much as native silver
The only qualifications are these !:
Applicants must be either normal
or college graduates.
They must have several years
successful experience in school
work and be now engaged in teach
ing.
They must be physically sound
and able to withstand a tropical
climate, and willing to accept what
ever location may be assigned to
them by the general superintendent
of education.
Even these rules are not adhered
to, so far as being normal or COL
lege graduates or present work of
teaching is concerned for many of
the leading educators of the country
have selected persons who do not
fill these requirements and are yet
considered admirably adapted to
the duties which will be required of
them.
The teachers are not even re-
quired to possess a knowledge of
Spanish, because it is the intention
OF the authorities in the Philippines
to bring up the little Filipinos in
the knowledge of English. 1t is to
be hoped that eventually English
language will supplant Spanish, al
though it is realized that this work
will be tedious one.
There is no preliminary exam
nations for teachers to undergo.
the recommendation of the college
faculty or school superintendent
being regarded as sufficient evidence
OF morality, ability, and health OF
the applicant.
One of the interesting details OF
the proposed scheme Of education
in the Philippines is the care not to
mix religion with public schoo
instruction.
Religious instruction is, however,
not TO be ignored entirely. Priests
or ministers are to be allowed to
teach religion for one-half hour
three times a week in school
building to those pupils whose par
ents or guardians desire it and who
express their desire in writing.
Primers will be the principal
books from which the school teach
ers will give their lessons. They
are such books as would be used
here in the lowest grades. The
old familiar sentences like, This
is a cat" will be painfully spelled
out in the little Filipinos' school
houses, just as they are in this
country.
We are IN receipt OF a copy OF