The Washington herald., 1909-03-14

shows that public education IS making
rapid advance in Mexico The facts are
made use of TO stimulate trade in school
furniture. books. and supplies. but the
information Is none the less interesting
as proof OF the awakening in that country
in the interests OF the systematic train
ing OF the children OF the masses.
The facts following relate chiefly to
Chihuahua and Coahuila. but these states
are fairly representative OF the general
national movement toward popular edu-
cation.
Governor Takes an Interest.
The governor OF Chihuahua. Enrique
c. Creel. is active in the work for the
education Of the masses, and his efforts
have had abundant success New school
houses have been erected and provided
with all modern appliances for educational
work.
The schools OF the state are under the
supervision Of the governor. director
general, with directors and inspectors
The Mexican children seem 10 be anxious
for advancement and work with enthu-
siasm. At an exhibition at the opera
house IN Chihuahua, where the governor
was present and bestowed badges and
medals, the pupils showed thorough prep
aration and efficiency in their work
Every school, whether public or private.
must be conducted as provided by law.
Even children taught by a governess In
a private family are subject to the stat
ute and TO examination by the board Of
examiners. the same as pupils In regular
educational institutions.
Public Schools in the State.
There are IN the state Of chihuahua 20
public schools maintained and financed
by the state. The enrolment In these
schools is 1900. OF this number. ae-
cordlng to the latest reports, 56 per cent
are males and a per cent females The
total number OF teachers employed is
about 400, and the total annual dis
bursements for the maintenance Of
schools was $219.Oo0 IN gold for the year
1907, drawn from the state funds. The
expenditure for this purpose was greater
for the year 1908.
Aside from the primary and ordinary
grades are the following:
State Agricultural College. whose course
Is completed in four years; State Normal
School, for the preparation and educa-
ton OF teachers, whose course Is six
years; State College OF Jurisprudence. al
so with a six-year course; School OF Arts.
In which boys are instructed in the art
Of trades or mechanics, and a Scientific
and Literary Institute. which gives a six
year course and corresponds 20 the State
colleges OF the United States
II would be well to add that teachers in
these schools are graded and rated ac-
cording 20 merit and the amount Of COM
pensatiOn runs all the way from SIS 70 so
per month They do faithful and efficient
work. The regular school hours for the
first year are four and one-half hours
daily; for the second year. five hours:
for the third year. five and one-half
hours, and for the fourth year. six hours.
Attendance Il Compulsory.
In addition TO the primary studies,
such as orthography. reading. and writ
Ing. the following studies are required:
Geography. arithmetic. history. geometry,
chemistry, mineralogy. political economy.
stenography and typewriting. physics.
hygiene, Spanish. English, French. agri-
culture. and drawing.
The school year extends over ten
months. and they teach five days in each
week. Every child six years old or over
Is obliged under the law to attend school
and TO take the regular course. There
seems to be a purpose on the part OF the
authorities 70 insist upon the higher and
better education OF the masses OF the
people.
Corporal punishment Is not permitted in
the schools Of Mexico, and it is forbidden
by the statute OF the state OF Chihuahua.
II pupils are disobedient and difficult 70
manage. teachers punish in various ways.
for instance. by undesirable marks on
examination papers; by detention after
school hours by extra tasks to be
worked out either IN school or at home;
and. finally, by suspension or expulsion.
NOnOffieiaI or Private schools.
There are number OF private schools
in the city and state Of Chihuahua and
two incorporated Institutions. The most
important OF these institutions Of learn
Ing Is the Colegio Palmore, which is con
troiled by a Protestant denomination.
This school has been working here for
many years and is doing splendid work.
The ColegiO Palmore teaches all the
grades from the primary to the academic
course, and has an enrolment OF over
4o0. about equally divided between the
sexes. The great majority OF the pupils
attending this school are Mexican chill
dren. The latter Incorporated institution
Is the Anexa al Seminario, with an en-
rollment of ninety-seven pupils.
There are some ten private schools In
this state. most OF which are under the
direction OF the Catholic Church. All of
these schools have an average attendance
Of about eighty. Among these ten pri-
vate schools is one German school in the
city OF Chihuahua. and also one recently
Instituted by an American church. This
latter denomination completed large and
commodious building in 1907, which the
school now occupies.
schools I'm cOahuiIa.
There is in the state Of Coabuila a
public school system under the control OF
the state government The director-gen-
eral OF public instruction has his office al
saltino. which is the educational. as well
as the political. financial, and social CEN
ter Of this state. Here is located the
state normal school, coeducational which
will soon move into large and limos
Ing building now being constructed for
Il. The material is stone, brick. and steel
and the furnishing and equipment viii
be modern in every particular In addi-
ton 70 the other courses. the curriculum
In the new building will include iastruc-
ton in kindergarten work and domestic
science.
mere IS also the Juan Antonio de Ia
Fuente School, a state institution fol
boys. which gives an extended course in
the classics and sciences preparatory to
The universities of the republic.
Besides these two government schools
there Is the College OF San Juan, for
ooyS, which has large patronage drawn
from territory not confined by any
means to the limits Of the state Of Goa
hula
The other schools IN the state svsterr