The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1909-09-02
APROCRESSVE RACE.
Prof. P. S. O'Reilly Throws New Light
on the Characteristics of the
Philippine Islanders.
He Describes School System Adopted,
Which He Considers the rlost
Perfect I'M the World.

That conditions in the Philippines
are ofttimes misrepresented by Amer
lean newspapers is the conclusion
arrived at after an interview with
Prof. P. S. O'Reilly, division super
intendent of schools in the province of
Ilocos.
Asked to give a brief description of
school work in the islands MIR.
O'Reilly grew enthusiastic and out
lined the progress of the educational
system from it's inception.
SIT was between eight and nine years
ago that I went to the archipelago, "
said he, "and at that time the Ameri-
can educational project had just start
ed. The natives, especially in the
country districts, were shy and ignor-
ant and means for educational pur-
suits were crude. In fact, my first
school was held under the spreading
branches of a giant tree, under which
was placed a number of bamboo
benches, which were shifted to the
various points of the compass as the
sun came around. At this time, upon
that very same spot, stands a four
room concrete school house, built by
the natives at their own expense. And
in every barrio, or district, on the
islands there is now substantial
school house. These school houses
cost the government nothing-the ma
tives, the majority of whom are poor,
gladly furnish the material and build
them. And they do this because they
appreciate the benefits which they
derive from the education received.
AS showing the interest manifested by
the natives in their educational in
situations one example will suffice: In
August, 1909, rs school buildings we're
destroyed by cyclone and within two
months these we're all rebuilt by the
natives.
There are now approximately
$4,000 children of school age in my
division of eighteen cities, $4,000 of
whom are attending schools, and this
number is as many as we can at
present accommodate. No difficulty is
now experienced in inducing the chill
dren to attend school, and they are
apt pupils.'
Do you consider the school system
in the Philippines superior to that of
the United States? was asked.
II do,'' responded Mr.. O'Reilly.
ut is, to my mind, the best educa-
tional system in the world. We have
our high, intermediate, primary and
kindergarten branches, the same
as in the United States, and
also normal school at Manila,
but the advantage lies in the fact
that the pupils are instructed in
various handicrafts. For instance, in
the primary schools three-years'
course is given, where the children
are taught reading, writing, and a
handicraft that will enable them to
make an honest living even should
they leave school at the end of that
period. A majority of the poorest
class of natives take only this course.
The teachers in the primary and in
termediate schools are Filipinos,
while the pupils in the high schools
are taught by Americans. The Fill
pino teachers are under the superin-
tendence of American supervisors
each supervisor having Jurisdiction
over territory similar to a county
in the United States. These SUPER
visors are under division superinten
dents who are governed by director
residing in Manila.''
Now, as to the handicraft taught?
Mr.. O'Reilly.
1.-The handicrafts consist of wood
working, carving, bIacksmithing and
various other lines of practical me-
chanics. The girls are taught cook
ing, sewing, embroidery. weaving and
a number of other branches"
Mr.. O'Reilly exhibited to US some
really beautiful productions which
were turned out by the Filipino
school children, consisting of inlaid
wood work, carving, quilts, towels,
silks and embroideries, which demon
strates that the natives are natural
artists.
''The Filipinos have a remarkable
capacity for learning, said Mr..
O'Reilly. They grasp details readily
and are energetic. The native teach
ers all speak fairly good English and
will master the language in a very
short time.
Who are the bloated aristocrats of
the islands?
''The 'bloated aristocrats,' as you
call them, are the mestizos-half
breeds-of whom there are two kinds.
the Chinese mestizos and the Spanish