El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-08-15
jUAREz SCHOOL CHILDREN QUICK
American Instructors in the
Frontier School Say Mex
leans Eager To Learn.

Juarez school children are "teacha-
Not only do the ylearn their assigned
lessons quickly, but moral principles
are easily instilled into them
They are good natured and 90 not not
bear malice toward their teachers lot
punishment inflicted
Most of them respond 10 appeals 70
They learn foreign languages more
quickly than do American children, Dut
are more backward in mathematics
Border children are harder to control
than those who attend interior schools
These are some OF the observations
regarding Mexican school children that
were made by Rev. W. F. Hatchel.
Baptist missionary for the state Of
Chihuahua, and head OF the frontier
schooT' at Juarez Mr.. Hatchel has
conducted the border school for nine
years. besides having had extensive
teaching experience in the interior.
100 Pupils.
There are 120 children enrolled in the
BAPTIST school The faculty consists OF
three Mexican teachers. besides Mr.. and
Mrs HatchelI. who alternate in the
teaching of English. The pupils are
largely Of the middle class. and pay
small tuition fees. the total revenue
from which takes care Of the salary OF
one of the teachers No questions are
asked. however, IL some prospective
student feels that his parents are una
Bile to pay for his schooling
The doors of the -escuela fronteriZa"
are open to all girls of school age,
and to all boys under u. Mixed schools
are not favored in Mexico. there beng
possibly only one state where the CO.
Ready to Recite
Mexican children are full of life and
always ready to recite," said Mr.. Hatch
ell. There is no bashfulness about
them. although they are usually very
respectful to their teachers. Sometimes
We can do more with them than their
parents can. and the latter send them
TO school because the youngsters can
not be controlled at home. Mexican
parents. in general. are little too in
dulgent with their children. ! fear
They whip them once in while. but
right way.
Never Whip Children.
Corporal punishment without the
written consent of the parents Is not
permitted in Mexico. We have never
had any difficulty in securing this con-
sent from the parents. although. in
Juarez. we have had no occasion to ask
for it. Keeping the children IN at re-
cess seems to be the most effective
way for Furnishing Juarez children. ac-
cording to our experience Some OF
them don't like TO be stood up before
the class. but the good old method OF
keeping IN seems to be the most ef-
fective."
o The total number OF students en-
rolled last year was greater than at
present according to Mr.. Hatchen- A
large part OF the pupils. however. were
nHrH. =.
manned in Juarez but a short time and
moved away before the school year was
over. New students would take the
places OF those who had gone. and in
this way swelled the total enrolment
for the year.
School From 8 to :.
This year. however, conditions have
become more stable. and Mr.. Hatchen
hopes that the students that have en-
rolled will remain through to the end
of the school term The session COM
menced as is the custom in Mexico.
on August l and viii continue until
June 80 Of next year. The classes are
from 8 a m. until noon. and from ESQ
to o'clock in the afternoon.
I'VE have been promised funds with
which to secure other buildings and
additional teachers" said Mr. Hatchel
The main floor and basement of the
building on Juarez avenue that we are
now using could comfortably house
twice the number of students. however.
II We only had enough teachers Until
we can increase our faculty, we are not
going to try to secure more pupils
Start Children Too Early.
THE truancy laws are not enforced
in Juarez- Possibly this is because the
civil authorities have too many other
problems TO contend with. Another
trouble is that many Mexican parents
send their children to school too early
usually when the youngsters are
about five years old"
The pupils seem to enjoy the work
and are said to be grateful to the Amer
lean couple for the efforts that are
being made in their behalf. After their
pupils reach majority they frequently
visit their teachers to express their ap-
probation for the start in life that they
have received at the school
Appreciate Education.
One of these young people visited
the Hatchells long after he had reached
his majority and was not recognized
bv his former instructors.
Where did you learn to speak Eng
lish so well2' he was asked
In your school," he replied. his teeth
flashing in a smile of appreciation.
The course of study at the Hatchell
school embraces the first six grades,
and covers the usual elementary sub
jects taught in Mexican public schools.
with the addition of English. Most of
the pupils do not have the facilities for
home study. especially during these
warm nights, so that most Of the les
sons are prepared in school.