Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1901-03-30
PROGRESS IN HIGH SCHOOL.


to new departures advisable for in
creasing the usefulness of the institu-
ton over which he presides. This sug-
gestion was quietly but II would seem
none the less positively set aside by
the commissioners, supposedly for a
more convenient season. As this seems
to be the course taken for all sugges-
tions not evolved by the Superinten-
dent Of Public Instruction, the Bulle-
tin through the courtesy Of the secre.
tary has secured copy Of Principal
Scott's letter. All persons interested
in the progressive development Of the
public schools will at once appreciate
that the proposals are worthy Of action,
rather than the scant courtesy they re.
ceived
Mr.. Scott's letter is as follows:
II think the time has now come
when the demand calls for an addition
to the course of the High School to
make II subserve the highest interests
Of those pupils already there and of
those in still greater number. who will
rapidly increase in the near future--l
mean that business course should be
added.
AFTER completing the grammar
course many pupils wish to continue
one or two years longer In school but
they wish part of their studies tn
take practical turn. In other words
they are poor and have to do something
by which to earn a livelihood. Some
OF these have no special aptitude for
any language other than their mother
tongue.
Now II appears to me II these boys
and girls could have an opportunity to
learn typewriting. commercial arith-
metic, shorthand, bookkeeping and
perhaps commercial geography, which
would include great transit routes Of
commerce. both oceanic and continent
tai. 1t would be of incalculable practical
advantage to them. Through what
trade agencies or banks trade balances
are adjusted with tariffs of different
countries might also be given.
THE foregoing branches properly
taught would be not only practical but
of the highest educational value.
My own view is that those pupils
! taking the commercial course need not
take any other language than English
but they must pursue the same course
in English. science. history. and to a
certain extent. mathematics, as the
others.
The cost OF establishing such a
course will not be great One teacher
and Ave typewriters would suffice"
To any father or mother whose chill
dren must enter upon some business
task early In life this propocal APP
peals at once. Furthermore. 1t is sound
in every educational phase. Yet the
II am" of the educational department,
has seen fit to pigeon hole this plar
with little more than passing mention
and hardly that. Hawaii with III
steadily increasing business Is furnish
ing steady demand for young mer
and women equipped on just this edu
cational line! And the supply is fur
nished principally from the young mel
and women of the Mainland. Our Owl
youth must go either to the Mainland
or study under special tutor. Thli
they can i'll afford to do and as result
when looking for remunerative labo
they find themselves seriously handl
capped.
II seems hardly necessary to suggec
that such a condition should not exist
and the fact that 1t does shows will
what laggardly steps the educationa
department OF the Territory is vending
its ponderous way.
As a matter Of fact the superiority o
Hawaii's schools is principally OIL
paper. 1t has gained praise large
ly from those who have pre-
viously had the idea that tn
population of Hawaii is in state o
, semi barbarism; from a class Of peo
a pie actually surprised when landing Il
A Honolulu and other island ports to fin
q that a good degree Of civilization is ap
, parent in the dress, education an,
y manners OF the people.
y This proposal from Principal Scott
0 one that would be accepted and acte
s upon promptly by an aggressive and
4 progressive educator, seeking to stead
= " improve the schools and place great
s err advantages at the disposal OF tn
pupils. It Is in touch with the spirit 4
the times and furnishes the poorer pu
pills with an immediate educationf
commodity on completing the Hig
u School course. Having n double valu
O through the educational training q
d well as benefits from commercii
It standpoint 1t would serve the doubl
l. purpose OF leading pupils to continu
il their studies beyond the gramma
II grade and making our own boys an
girls eligible to higher class Of en-
ID ployment which they now see pacs
N those educated In the same grad
ID schools Of the Mainland.
q The Legislature ought to see to
r that this suggestion is promptly take