New-York tribune., 1902-05-05
PORTO RICAN SCHOOLS.
EFFORTS OF NATIVE TEACHERS To
LEARN ENGLISH
WAY To HELP IN THE AMERICAN
IZATION OF THE ISLAND.


IzATION OF THE ISLAND.
To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: 1t may interest some Of your readers 10
know of the efforts that thN native teachers Of
Porto Rico are making to acquire a working
knowledge Of the English language. We have
about nine hundred native teachers. divided into
three classes-ruraI teachers. who receive $50 a
month; graded teachers, who paid $40
month in the smaller towns and $50 month in
the larger towns, and principals of schools, who
get so a month. All of these salaries are paid
for only nine months of the year. and are sup
pemented by allowances varying from So 10 SIS
a month for house rent or quarters Few OF
these teachers have had ~ good educational
advantages Most of them have families to sup
pOrt-often large families. at that. They are
enthusiastic in their work. eager to learn the
methods of the American school system
that are trying to introduce and anxious to
make every effort to learn English.
The department tries to arrange TO have one
teacher of English in each school building going
from class to class. taking the primary work in
all subjects with the small children in the fore
noon and teaching English to the other classes
in The afternoon. Thus. in the course of a few
years, the smaller children move up into the
higher grades we shall have schools in which
all of the children are prepared TO do all their
work in the English language and TO use
English textbooks. It is a more serious ques-
tion, however, to have native teachers ready
so soon to give all the instruction in the English
language. The bulk of the instruction is now
necessarily given in Spanish. We have less
than hundred and fifty American teachers
employed in the island, and many of the native
teachers are taking regular lessons in English
from these American teachers.
The department has just issued order pro
viding for the examination in English Of every
native teacher on Saturday. June :. The teach
ers VIII take this examination voluntarily as
it is not required by law, in order that they
obtain their certificates to teach next year We
shall, however enter upon the certificate of each
teacher next year the mark obtained in English
al this examinatio that the local school
boards in electing teachers may if they see Mt,
give the preference in any contest between rival
candidates to that teacher having better knovl-
edge of English The English examination on
June will be in three grades. corresponding 70
each os the three classes-ruraI graded and
principal teachers. The plan for each will be
the same but the questions VIII be more diff-
cult in each higher grade
The teachers have already responded, and are
forming classes to improve their knowledge OF
English and 70 prepare for this examination II
will act as a great stimulus toward the attain
ing Of the end We all desire, namely the
Z
schools. In view Of the great poverty Of these
teachers. a small cash prize would act
very great stimulus 10 further eXertion. and no
more helpful gift could he made at the present
time by friends in the United States than
the gift Of small sums of money To be used foc
this purpose. The department would like to Of
fer a first prize. in each OF the three classes. Cf
500. second prize in each of the three classes
of So. and additional prizes of S1o for the third
10 in. ole. IN
the English eXamina ton The sum Of $500 con-
tributed for this purpose would accomplish great
good. and the Commissioner Of Education, who
may be addressed San Juan, Porto Rico. Will
he glad to receive contributions Of any amount
for this purpose. and will acknowledge the re-
ceipt of the same and submit statement Of the
total amount received and the use made Of il -
III contributors.
SAMUEL NJ. LINDSAY. Commissioner.
san Juan. Porto Rico. April -. 1872.