The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-11-03
EDUCATIONAL WORK OF UNITED $
 STATES IN THE PHILIPPINES
Report of Director of Education Shows Very Encouraging Re suits Have Been Obtained in All Lines of School Activ
 tes Industrial Instruction Has Been Developed
 to Great Extent-Attendance Increases

Washington. November "A Distin- guished educator from one of the great est universities in the United States, after his return from a lecture tour in the Philippines, writes relative to the V crk of the bureau of educa ton in the islands:
 "The more I learn about the work of your bureau, the more I think that 1t is the most significant constructive work ever undertaken in any colony in the tropics, or in it's entirety, in any state in the union. You have in your hands the achievement of a civilization and a high culture con- sider It one of the best bits of good fortune that ever came to me that l have been able to see It and get In touch with 1t personality"
 The twelfth annual report of the director of education for the Philippine islands, covering the school year end ing April l, 1912, has just been re- ceived by the bureau of insular af- fairs
 It is a very comprehensive state luGnl Ol ti6 cQuCablOiACA Ph oS e'@NAAA-N = the islands; shows that very encour- aging results have been obtained dur ing the past year in all lines of school activities and that the achievement or civilization and a high culture" is we'll entered upon.
 Some of the specific things accom- rlished during the past year are enum- erated by the director. Progress has been very marked in the improvement in the quality of English taught in all che schools, whether of primary, in- termediate or secondary grade. Indus trial instruction has been organized and developed to a greater extent than in any previous year. A large num- Der of permanent school buildings have been completed. The policy of acquir- ing adequate school sites has found general acceptance and much attention has been given to the improvement of temporary buildings. Through the va cation assembly at Baguio the bureau has come into closer sympathy with the vast ma ajority of it's teachers than ever before. A decided improvement is re ported in the personnel of the teach ing force, both American and Filipino. An increase of 8 per cent in the aver age Qd1lY 8iltHuduCo hhoA more really effective work was done during the past year. There has been IF the past year great improvement in the attainments of the Filipino teachers and in their ability to teach, making it possible to assign l6l or them to positions as supervising and assistant supervising teachers. It has been the policy to place upon Filipino teachers as great responsibilities as they are capable of assuming. The con stant increase in the number assigned to the more important work is evil dence that this policy has been With out favorable results.
 Specialization in Elementary Schools
 Tn the Philippines specialization must begin much lower down in the course than is the usual practice in the United States, although many ed ucators here are coming to recognize that the earlier this specialization car be introduced the better. In the islands 1t begins with the first year of the in- termediate grades, five courses being provided-the general course, the course for teaching, the course in farm ing, the trade course, the course in housekeeping and household arts, and the course in business. This specializa- ton is incorporated into the course of study in order that the child may se- cure Sucn tTdlIlIlB us Wiii uiiSSti Pic- rare him for a useful life.
 Education in Other Tropical Countries
 A careful study and comparison of education in the Philippines with that carried on in other tropical countries enjoying practically the same condi- tions as obtain here shows that 1t Is the aim of nearly every one of these countries to make education general, but as a rule the percentage of popula- ton attending school is much lower than in the Philippines. In very few cases Is special attention being given to industrial education. The elementary schools are seldom considered in the plan of industrial instruction, the att trntion being confined to advanced technical and agricultural subjects. Much more stress is laid upon athletics and physical training in the Philip hines than is given in other countries generally. The interest that the F'il- ipino people take in public instruction is much greater than is apparently the case elsewhere. Reports seem to indi- cate that in number of the coun- tres at least not only a lack of in terest, but actual opposition Is man. ifested.
 School Buildings and Sites
 For a number of years the bureau has been committed to the policy of providing adequate permanent build ings for the housing of the public schools as rapidly as money might be made available.
 Tn furtherance of this policy stan dard plans based upon the unit sys- tenn of construction, which allows ad- ditions to be made as necessity may de- nrand without detracting from the ap- pearance or utility of the original structure, have been prepared.
 In the standard sehoolhouse plans each unit Is a classroom of standard size, by g meters. Plans have been adopted for buildings of from one 10 oo classrooms with assembly room of fees and storeroom. Concrete rein forced with steel Is the construction material which meets conditions best. Ii is specified for the standard school house.
 Already 135 school buildings of this tvpe have been completed and 173 oth CTS are in process of construction. of " hich sl lacked very little of compile ton and were already occupied at the time the director made his report
 As a result of a campaign for the acouisition of adequate school sites to rroyide sufficient room for the build iugs to be erected, for the future de- velopment of the school plan, for school gardening, and for suitable play grounds, the burneau now has in it's rossession 137 school sites, each of which contains 10000 square meters, or more. and 332 school sites each con- taining at least 5000 square meters
 School of Household Industries
 One new educational center of very great interest has been established dur ing the past year--a school of house. hold industries. The director describes