The Washington times., 1901-11-26
TEACHERS NEEDED
IN PORTO RICO.
NEW SCHOOLS ESTABLISHED.
Spanish Speaking Americans in De-
nnud - IIIiterncy Among the
Children Described by COM
missioner Brumbaugh.

! American school teachers. especial!
! those familiar with the Spanish language
! are badly needed in the island of Porte
Rico" says Commissioner Of Education
| E NJ. Brumbaugh IN his annual report
| just made public by the Interior Depart
ment. Commissioner Brumbaugh call:
| the attention of the Department to the
vastness of the work accomplished by
those having in charge the education OF
| the Porto Ricans. and says that there is
yet a great deal OF work to be completed
along these lines in order that an ade-
quate system of schools may be provided
for the children of the island.
During the year of 1899 the military
government. he states, had 612 schools in
operation, increased since the withdrawal
Of the military forces by civilian edu
Gators to the number of 1872 schools. The
Commissioner states, however, that the
force under his supervision expects to
have completed arrangements for at least
1000 schools in the island before the end
of the present year.
Number of schools Inadequate.
But even with 900 schools, the Com
missioner is of the opinion that the Gov
ernment viii be unable 10 successfully
cope with the tremendous illiteracy among
the vast army of children who are in need
Of educa ton. During the last year the
Commissioner says there were enrolled
$4,000 school children, which number he
expects TO increase to $4,000 by the end Of
the next year. In taking up the subject
the island needs at once at least 1000
American teachers Continuing on this
important subject, he says:
The schools in this island last year
suffered because we lacked teachers. The
summer normal school held in San Juan,
July to September 20, was attended by
more than 500 pupils, from which number
we will secure teachers for our schools.
But the growth OF the system viii cause
an increased demand for professionally
trained teachers. To provide these we are
now constructing large normal school
at Rio Piedras, which Will be open to
students about November 21 1901
Progress in Education.
with the public elementary schools
thoroughly organized" says the Commits
sioner. with the new school law pre-
the last Legislature in full force and in
successful operation; with efficient super
vision provided; with thirty-nine new
public school buildings completed and in
daily use; with a reorganized corps of
teachers; with a system of agricultural
schools giving practical education to 1000
chosen youths; with the normal school
fully organized and ready to begin its
work; with the Summer Normal happily
concluded; with a high school in success
full operation in San Juan; with the an
nual budget for education increased from
S40O 600 to $500 600; with every school
amply equipped with all necessary books
and supplies; with a school-year of nine
months throughout the island. and with
a rapidly growing sentiment in favor Of
free nublic schools it is eminently rea-
sonable to claim that the cause of educa-
tion has made gratifying progress in Por-
to Rico during the past year"
Commissioner Brumbaugh states that
the fidelity and despatch with which those
employed under his supervision have
worked during the past fiscal year has
created wholesome respect for the edu-
cational officers and has proven most
object lesson TO the people of
Porto Rico
In Porto Rico says the Commissioner
there are four recognized groups Of teach
ers: Principals, graded. rural, and teach
ers OF English. The first three groups
he adds with few exceptions are native
teachers. while the last group is com
posed almost exclusively of americans.
In all. Commissioner Brumbsugh states.
there are seven native school teachers 10
one American in the island.
Native Teachers Devoted.
Regarding the work Of the native teach
crs. the Commissioner says they are will
ing and devoted. but lack good profess
sional training. consequently they are un-
acquainted with American ideals and
American methods. The Commissioner
devotes some space to explanations Of the
lack Of professional spirit on the part of
some of the native teachers, saying that
they are inclined to crlticlse, rather than
to help others.
According to the report there are now
employed as teachers in the island 100
Americans. mostly all young men who
came to the island with the army. None
Of them knew Spanish, and some Of them
knew little English, but gradually the
quality was improved by the addition Of
a number Of teachers. mostly women, from
this country.
Commissioner Brumbaueh pays the
little army of American teachers an espe-
cially fine tribute, saying that under
most unusual, and condi-
tions most unpropitious they entered
upon their labors and did nobly Living
oo-1I MI ,,,c0 4o oo-