The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1901-08-26

! pulsory education. They already realize
| that even an imperfect knowledge OF
English will double their earning power,
| and this at time when pacification is in
| complete and when there are less than
100 teachers of English distributed
throughout the archipelago.
The disposition and attitude of the peo-
pie are reassuring and hopeful. They seem
to realize that the foundation, success.
and safety of their new Government de-
pend largely on the education of the pres
ent generation. The erection of school
houses has already begun and a few
years of reconstruction will see the
masses enjoying more prosperity and
happiness and higher civilization than
would have been possible under con,
tinuation of Spanish rule or the proposed
Filipino Republic"
DR.. Barrows, city superintendent of
schools of Manila, reported under date
his work:
THE most significant change is that
which has taken place in the attitude OF
the Filipino teachers. Owing TO the un-
certainty that has attended American
occupation of these islands, six months
ago. scarcely any changes had been IN
PRODUCED into the public schools oil
Manila.
sin December the plan was adopted of
having the teachers of English devote
at least the last half hour of the fore
noon to the instruction of the Filipino
teachers, and at the same time the an
nouncernent was made that very shortly
Spanish as medium of instruction would
be abandoned. With a very few eNcep-
tions the teachers accepted the proposed
change of language, and their attitude
has now become one of real eagerness Tor
the adoption of English.
They have also far progressed IN
their knowledge of English that IL Will pc
possible with the opening of schools IN
June Q9OD to use only English Almost
without exception our teachers are becoH-
ing appreciably more loyal to their work
and more conscientious in its discharge.
THE question of religious instruction
in the schools has also been settled, ana
without friction any loss In the attend
ance of pupils Upon receipt of an official
copy of act No. "a of the Philippine Com
mission which forbids any religious IN
struction by the teacher, comprehen-
sive order was issued, forbiddinS the prac-
tice of religious devotions or their en-
ployment as means of punishment, the
of all teaching OF the cate
chism religious doctrine and the re-
moval from the schoolhouse of all DOCKS
such matter ana the renloVal
from school rooms Of crucifixes, religious
sacred pictures, placards, etc
These orders were, in every case. imme- |
1iateIy and exactly complied with. There |
was no protest from either parents or |
and as above stated, no diminu- |
ton in the attendance, the school year |
closing with the largest attendance in the |
history of these public schools. To many |
Of the teachers the change was appar- |
entity welcome"
md other accommodations which were be-
ng prepared. he says: The schools OF |
Manila will open lin june with definite
course of English studies force of |
native teachers who have some acquaint-
lnce with American educational ideas
md who / believe, are fully in sympa-
nv with our aims and with adequate |
number of trained American teachers.