New-York tribune., 1901-08-26

arousing great interest the part of the peo-
pie. 1t has also been planned 70 establish
high school at the capital Of each province in
1902
The former school year ranged from six TO
twelve months in lieu OF which a uniform year
of nine and one-halr months will be established
and one Of the vacation months utilized for nor
NAL instruction Of teachers.
The following from the report Of Captain Har-
rison S. Herrick detailed as division superin-
tendent is cited as illustrative OF general con-
ditions and the sentiment Of the people:
The parents are willing the children eager and
knowledge Of the English language; in fact, IT
appears 10 me they anxious for public in
struction that 1t will not De necessary to resort
10 compulsory education. They already realize
that even imperfect knowledge OF English
will double their earning power. and this at a
time when pacihcation is incomplete and when
there are less than one hundred teachers of
English distributed throughout the archipelago
The disposition and attitude of the people are
reassuring and hopeful. They seem to realize
that the foundation, success and safety OF their
new government depends largely on the educa-
tion of the present generation. The erection OF
schoolhouses has already begun, and few years
Of reconstruction will the masses enjoying
more prosperity and happiness and a higher CIV
nization than would have been possible under a
continuation of Spanish rule or the proposed
Filipino republic.
DR.. Barrows, of Manila reported under date
of May for the first six months of his work:
The most significant change is that which has
taken place in the attitude of the Filipino teach
ers. Owing to the uncertainty that has attend
ed American occupation of these Islands. SIX
months ago. scarcely any changes had bee H.
troduced into the public schools of Manila
In December the plan was adopted or having
the teachers of English devote at least the last
half hour of the forenoon to the instruction or
the Filipino teachers and at the same time
the announcement was made that very shortly
Spanish a a medium of instruction would oe
abandoned. With very few exceptions the
teachers accepted the proposed change of Ian
guage and their attitude has now become one
Of real eagerness for the adoption OF English
They have also so far progressed in their knoWl-
edge of English that il will be possible with Ine
opening of schools in June ti9OD 70 use only
English. Almost without exception our teacn-
ers are becoming apprectably more loyal 70 their
work and more conscientious in its discharge
The question of religious instruction IN the
schools has also been settled. and without trlc-
ton any loss in the attendance or puplS:
the Philippines Commission, which 1orbldS any
religious instruction by the teacher cornpre-
hensive order was issued forbidding the prac-
tice OF religious devotious or their employment
as means of punishment, the disconttnuance or
all teaching Of the catechism or reIgIQus oocr
trine, and the removal from the schOolhouse OF
all books containing such matter and the re-
nOval from schoOlrOoms Of cructhxes, reilglouS
emblems. sacred pictures, placards, etc IheSe
orders were in every case. Immediately and ex-
actIy complied with. There was no protest rom
either parents or teachers, and. as above stated,
no diminution in the attendance. the school year
closing with the largest attendance IN the history
Of tbAsA public schools To many Of the teach
ers the change was apparently welcome
After speaking OF the new schoolhouses and
other accommodations which were being pre-
pared he says:
The schools OF Manila will open Gin June) with
a definite course OF English studies. a force OF
native teachers who have some ACQUAINTANCE
with American educational IDEAS, ana VINO,
believe are fully in sympathy with our aims
and with an adequate number of trained Amert-
can teachers.