The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1901-09-06
tpucArioN M PHILIPPINES

Dr Fred W. Atkinson. Fuperntruo
emit of Public Instruction bon the Philip
pines has lost yer, little time in bring
inp English Co boz tbe medium uf In
Istruction During the first year of his
work spanish was used as medium of
instruction but al the present time
English H. the medium of instruction
and Spanish is ignored entirely Ac-
cordinE to Or. Barrows. who has charge
Of The city schools in Manila. and whose
remarks appear in Dr. Atklnson's re-
port lle says.
THE most significant change Is that
which has taken place In the attitude
of the Filipino teachers. In December
the plan was adopted of having teach
ers OF English devote at least the last
half hour of the forenoon to the in
struction of the Filipino teachers, and
at the same time the announcement
was made that very shortly Spanish,
as a medium Of instruction, would be
abandoned. With a very few except
ions, the teachers accepted the propos-
ed change of language, and their at
titude has now become one of real
eagerness for the adoption OF English.
They have also so far progressed in
their knowledge of English that il will
be possible, with the opening OF school
in June G901). to use only En- -lish. AL
most without exception. our teachers
are becoming apDreciably more loyal
to their work and more conscientious
in its discharge"
This is satisfactory enough as far as
it goes. One would like to know how
ever what Filipino English might be
after six months instruction. Those
who have had to deal with education
here know the linguistic difficulties,
and know that the mistakes of a too
hasty veneer of English has taken
years to eradicate, If they ever can
be erdicated. There is no doubt that
DR.. Atkinson is on the right track. If
American education and American
thought is to be introduced into the
Philippines, it must be through the
English language. You can not learn
Anglo-Saxon ways Of thought through
a Latin medium.
The question of religious instruction
has been dealt with, also successfully.
DR.. Atkinson in his report says:
ION receipt of an official copy of Act
No. "A Of the Philippine Commission,
which forblds any religious instruction
by a teacher, comprehensive order
was issued forbldding the practice Of
religious devotion or their employment
as means of punishment, the discon-
tinuance of all teaching of the cate
chism of religious doctrine. and the re-
moval from the school of all books con-
tanning such matter, and the removal
from schoolrooms Of all religious fig
ures, emblems, placards, etc. These
orders were in every case complied
with. There was no protest from either
parents or teachers. and, as above stat
ed. no diminution in the attendance,
the school year closing with the largest
attendance in the history of these pub
lie schools. To many of the teachers
the change was apparently welcome"
This was very ticklish question, be-
cause a peonle may to themselves de-
ride or desDise their religion and yet
they will suffer no diminution of pub
lie respect. 1t is evident that the foun-
dalton of Filipino education upon Am
erican lines has been well begun. it
could not be otherwise with such
magnetic man at the mead, put IL VIII
have a struggle to assert it's suprema-
cy. The end of the struggle is the flu
ture ADVANTAGE of many, but the few
often thwart the many for a time. At
all events as far as the Philippine ISL
ands 20 a good beginning has been
made, and the honors for inception be-
long to DIR. Atkinson. He has appar-
entity cut loose from the traditions of
New York and Boston, and is bringing
that most valuable asset, which so
many lack, common sense, to bear up
on practical questions which have to
be dealt with in another way from that
that has been met with before. This
DIR. Atkinson has shown his ability to
do and he should be honored for IL