The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1901-10-09
rADs IN THE SCHOOLS.

After having said 10 The Republican
that the night schools were closed be-
cause they we're being monopolized
By the Aslatics the Superintendent Of
Public Instruction is trying to get out
Of his awkward predicament. by hav-
ing his friends declare that the night
schools were closed because Of a
shortage OF funds.
The Republican is willing 20 accept
this statement as the correct one in
stead OF the reason given this paper
by the Superintendent and it wiz en-
deavor to show the people OF Honolulu
that the closing Of the night schools
upon the aIledged grounds OF short
age Of funds is even more reprehensi-
bic and ihexcusable than II they had
been closed for the reason given 10
The Republican by Superintendent
Atkinson when the question was FIRST
brought up.
Within half a dozen years past at
tention has been called In the states
TO the great number OF "fads" that
have been introduced into the common
schools TO the detriment of practical
education. So great did the evil be-
come that the people took it up and
demanded that the fads be abolished
and they have been abolished nearly
all over the Union. Hawaii being
somewhat slower than the older
states and territories in adopting the
fads has, Of course. been slower in
abolishing them and they still con
tinue in the public schools. Among
the fads In the schools Of Honolulu,
which the taxpayers are paying for
today, are those of an agricultural
instructor. a musical instructor With
one assistant, a drawing instIuc-
tor with one assistant and an in
structor in physical culture These
studies" are fads pure and simple
and OF as much practical benefit and
utility as would be the teaching of the
Pythagorean proposition in the pri
mary schools
Let us take the special Instructor In
agriculture 70 begin with. Every one
who viii give the subject a moments
attention must see at a glance that
such instruction as a special instruo
tor in agriculture can give the pupils
in the primary schools one hour in
week in four OF the schools, and on'
hour in a month in the remainder o
the schools in the city is absolutely
worthless. The fsddishness of this in
struction is shown by the report Of J
E. Higgins, the instructor in agricul
ture. Among other things Mr.. Higgins
in his report to the Superintendent
says:
The common vegetables have 80 IA
taken most Of The time and space. bat 1
few not frequently seen in the market
have been tried in a very small way
such as satisfy, or vegetable oyste
plant and endive. A few flowers hav
also been started. but not SO much ha
been done with horticulture as We hop
to do later.
Again the report says. speaking o
the instruction in agriculture at tn
Beretania Street school:
The large classes which have gaihere
At this school render il impossihis frc
onently to hare all at work on any par
OF the grounds. making It necessary 1
break them up into groups. This o
course. means separation from tn
teacher. which Is quite undeS .rabls
Whether il would be possible in an,
way IL avoid this tificulty and hav
smaller classes in outdoor work, do no
know.
The frankness Of the instructor |
saying that he does not know ho'
certain difficulties are to be overcom
Is commendahie at least
Had Hawaii an agricultural colleg'
as many Of the states and at least on
Of the territories have. then instru
ton in agriculture at that COLES
would result In some good. but sue
Instruction in the primary schools I
this city Is as worthless a lad as evs
was conceived In the brain OF
dreamer.
Then we have the drawing fad
the primary schools. there being a
instructor with one assistant. Il
two drawing the sum OF $500 p.
annum for their work. Drswing il N
practical instruction for the chi
dren in the public schools As vii
agriculture. the instruction in eas
school amounts 10 probably one hol
week 50 that every one can resdi
see What the papils gain BY haviE
their regular work thus broken
upon. The Supervisor Of Drawing.
the Instructor Is called. says IN h
last report 10 the ssperintendens
schools:
One CREST drawback 70 the most 81
cesslal eoreiation i the inability CT sou