The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-12-04
LOCAL TAXES PAY
FOR CANAL SCHOOLS
Educational System at Pan
anna Does Not Cost Uncle
Sam a Cent.
Continued from First Page)

F~anl AldAAE were dL SUM NdIldlltt v Allt
saose of the white children that more
CT less experimenting was likely TO be
necessary. some score or more nation
alities were represented, differing in Ian
guages. social customs, and habits OF
thinking.
Such. and many more. difficulties were
encountered by those In charge Of school
affairs during the first year. And out
Of II all a school system was to be
evolved which would give TO the zone
such schools that American parents
who came to Panama might feel that
inefficient school facilities were not
among the Objectionable features Of liv-
ing In the CO al zone.
Problems Solved.
Most Of these problems have either
been solved or are in the process Of
satisfactory solution. Some are yet In
the experimental stage. There are now
twelve excellent school buildings for
white children and five for colored chill
dren. There are eleven other buildings
Tor colOred children now in use. but
these are not so well adapted TO school
use.
At first the difficulty OF getting compe-
tent teachers was great. Reported un-
favorable climatic and sanitary condi-
tons rendered It almost IMPOSSIBLE 10
secure first-class teachers. who never
are without employment at home. But
with the Improvement Of conditions
here. and the disabusing Of the peoples
minds OF certain very erroneous notions
as TO the undesirability of living on the
zone the difficulty Of securing hrst-class
teachers has gradually disappeared.
More than one-half of the white
teachers are graduates from universities
or normal schools in the States. OF this
number thirteen hold baccaIaurcate de-
gress and twelve normal certificates.
WINE all the teachers have had two or
HlOre years, successful experience in tho
profession The personnel Of the pres-
eDt teaching corps will not suffer nv
COMPARISON with that of any school svs
tn IN the states. either as to PERSONAL
1r.i-i academic ana professional
TIE school system at present compre-
nenus twenty-eight different schools
each under a principal who has iron,e
dlate charge and Is Responsible dirertf,-
70 the office Of the superintendent or
sShools; a primary supervisor who has
s Ia se OF me grade work in the white
schools from the first to the fourth wears
inclusive; an elementary and HIGH
school supervisor who has charge NJ tbs
MoTk from the fifth 10 the twelfth year.
LiCiuslNef superintendent resDOusfble
directly TO the head OF the Deparfrnept
OF Civil Administration: a course 81
study embracing the elementary sun
}ectS; arithmetic, calisthenics, drawing.
Engllsh' geography, history, music nv
gene, reading. Spanish, writing: and a
Iour years course In secondary inStruc-
tlon embracing four years OF Latin.
three Of French, three OF German Sftv
-FOUR weeks each in algebra and geom-
etry, one year In physical geogTapbv
Ihree years I'm history. four years in
other year.
Arrange Detail Course.
This year a detailed course OF study
IS being worked out. This will be so
scheduled that pupils transferred from
one community 10 another will not be
Inconvenience and hampered by finding
themselves either in advance or behind
the class 20 which they are assigned.
The organization and administration Of
the zone schools IS very similar IN all
respects to that Of Northern cities from
thirty to fifty thousand inhabitants.
Two substitute teachers are employed.
Their business is 20 supply when teach
ers are on sick leave. 10 assist back
ward pupils, and those who are behind
with their work as a result Of leave in
the States.
Shortly after the opening OF the pres
ent school year the course OF study for
the colored schools was revised The
children Of these schools are utterly in
capable Of the kind or training the
course OF study for our white schools
contemplates. A course for colorcd
schools has been organized which dIf-
fers notioeably from that of those OF
class A. Reading. writing. spelling. the
fundamentals Of arithmetic, hygiene
and language now constitute the work
of the colored schools.
Plan Agriculture Study.
SIrne American history and geography
are given. but as reading Iessons-not
as history or geography lessons. In adj
dition. the division IS planning to do
some elementary work IN agriculture
and horticulture. To this end the com
mission has been asked 10 appropriate
small plots OF ground near some OF the
|, school buildings. so that a beginning
can be made
The following appears IN the renort
Ct the division OF schools for October
SAs TO the matter or compulsory ed,I-
cation, have 70 say that 20 FAR as the
white American children are concerned
practically all who come under n com
pulsory law are now attending the
schools. Such n law would oDerate
principally upon nor-American chill
dren. and I think the present appro-
priation Inadequate 20 meet the in
creased demands such a law would
make on the division The total an
rOllment last year would Indicate that
tneTe are N the nelgnDOrhOOQ Of 200
such children From the census n Is
evident that there are at least 100
more who did not enter school at all
Untn special appropriations are made
looking toward the future social con-
ditiOus Of the Zone a compulsory law
seems 20 be inadvisable. II may be
an altogether impracticable suggestion.
but IL seems 20 me that the Govern
ment should not expect the commits
sion 90 divert funds voted for the con-
structiOn Of the canal and auxiliary
agencies into channels which In no
wise supplement this work. There are,
however, economic reasons why the at
tention Of the Government should be
directed 20 the social problems OF their
newly acquired province"
Among other features OF the admin
istration OF the schortN may be men
TONED the plans Of free text books and
medical Inspection All children IN both
classes are supplied WITH free texts.
Last year medical inspection Of the
white schools was inaugurated. Aside
from careful provision against con-
tagious diseases. such physical defects
as might In any wise retard the child
progress In school were looked 10. OPP
erations and othed methods OF treat
ment were resOrted to with most salts
FACTORY TogIIfE MA rsyau