The Washington times., 1901-12-26
AMERICAN ZINC THE FiLIFIAO.
lcontinncd from second rarel
EDUCATIONAL PROBLEMS NET.
Course in Philippine schools Con-
fined 10 Secular studies.


fined 10 SecuIar studies.
In organizing public school system in
the Philippines the Taft Commission was
confronted with some very yexatious
/ problems affecting the religious customs
Of the natives.
Customs had to be eradioated. so far as
school discipline was concerred in order
that the teachers could accomplish results
beneficial 10 their pupils So the conflict
between those in favor Of and these OPP
! posed to the teachings OF the Catholic
Church was settled for all time in the
schools by the adoption Of the Faribault
plan. which is set forth as follows:
No teacher or Other person shall teach
or crticise the doctrines of any church,
religious sect or denomination. or shall
attempt to influence the pupils for or
against any church or religious sect in any
| public school established under this act
| II any teacher shall intentionally violate
/ this section he or she shall, after due
hearing, be dismissed from public ser
vice"
1t was provided. however. that the
priest or minister of any church in the
district where school was located would
be permitted to teach religion for one
! half hour three times a week in the
school building to those pupils whose
parents or guardians desired such instruc-
! tiuG; but the commission Ia most positive
terms warned both priests and preachers
against availing themselves OF such privi-
leges TO arouse disloyalty against the
! United States or in discouraging The at
! tendance Of pupils at such schools. Down
10 the present time priest or other re-
ligious teacher mas asked for the use Of
| any schoolhouse for the purpose OF reach
ing religion in accordance with such
terms.
in speaking of The public schools in Ma
Mia the Commissioners report as follows:
AT the END Of The last school year the
public schools of Manila closed with 1850
pupils in attendance. This was the largest
number that had been in attendance in
The public schools since their re-estab-
lishment under American authority, Short
ly before they were rcopened. on June 16.
1901. a circular was issued announcing
the opening OF the schools. This circular
was printed in English Spanish. and Tag
alog, and 10000 copies were distributed
by the Filipino police.
THE pupils reassembled gradually. and
by the 30th of June there wer3 8, 400 en-
rolled. At the end of July there were
5.123 in attendance. This slow ana grad
ual enrolment is characteristic of coun-
try where nothing is done too suddenly
1T had its advantages in this instance
in that it enabled the Filipino teachers
10 carry out the unfamiliar task that had
been imposed upon them OF grading their
pupils and organizing them IN classes.
This lack Of punctuality is one of the
serious obstacles TO the progress of this
people. and il is expected that The disci
rline of the school. when thorough . es-
tablished, VIII contribute TO the correc
tion of this evil
Referring again to religious prejudices,
the report states:
1T is difficult for the church authorities
and for many deyout persons TO compre-
hend the point of view OF the American
people, who -insist that instruction pro-
vided by the State shall be secular. and
in view OF the large part the church has
played in the political and social affairs
OF the Philippines. it is noteworthy that
the protest against merely secular in
struction has not been more pronounced.
With very few exceptions the Filipino
teachers have adopted the new plan. and
are entering upon its execution with a
large measure OF enthusiasm.
Some effects of the public school on
sion. ARE even now Observed, in that the
private schools have adopted somewhat
OF the new method and spirit and are
giving large place to the teaching OF Eng
lish We look with satisfaction on whaS
ever spirit N rivalry and emulation may
be aroused between public and private
schools, in that il will lead to the awak-
ening OF the minds OF the youth and pro-
woke a new zeal In the work of instruc-
tion.
''All public instruction in the city OF 1
Manila at the present time is in the Eng
lish language. The Filipino teachers hav-
ing mastered it sufficiently TO make use OF
il in teaching. IL is gradually becoming the |
language Of The schools.
''One hundred and thirty-four Filipino I
teachers are now employed in the city OF I
Manila. Their salaries range from $50 TO I
$50 gold q month, which last is paid TO one 4
principal. These salaries place the teach |
ers profession at least on the same level /
as Government clerkships. which Is I
great advance from the position they held 4
under the Spanish Government, the sal I
aries in most eases having been more than I
doubled. The attraction Of This work /
seems TO be sufficient to draw to 1t many 1
OF the brightest Young men and women. ]
who in it give evidence Of comm endable /
professional spirit As a sign of this may
be noted a recently organized association
of Filipino teachers. which has anony its
purposes tho study OF educational affairs
iu connection with their v,orlr