Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-12-06

schools and academies in Hawaii o.
the proposal that a federal school sur
vey be made here is indicated in z
strong letter the StarBulietin has
received from DR.. Robert Day vii
liams, president OF the lIid-Pacific In
stitute
The proposal for school survey
first made by the College Club IN a
letter to Governor Pinkham, Superin
tendent of Instruction Kinney and the
school commissioners, is emphatically
approved by DIR. Williams. On behalf
of the private educational institution
of which he is the head, and which is
recognized for its efficient methods
he indorses the survey idea in the be
lief that Hawaii can well secure the
trained judgment of noted mainland
educators. given In the kindly. and
impartial way guaranteed by the fed.
eral government. He does not, OF
course, speak for any other school,
but from other sources II is said that
very probably other private school
executives have the same opinion.
His letter follows:
Honolulu, December 4, 1916.
: Editor Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
Sir; May ! say a word in regard
to the federal survey of schools which
is being proposed for our territorial
school SYSTEM?
In the first place let me say that
am heartily in favor of such sur
vey. am sure that all those who
hnon6 Of -,
her strong address before the recent
meeting OF the Oahu Teachers Asso-
citation, were impressed by the fact
which she brought out so clearly that
the federal survey as conducted by
Superintendent Claxton was not in
any way mere negative criticism OF
the existing school system. Mrs.
Brown made it very clear to us all
that the survey should be thought OF
in terms of the survey of piece of
land-that is, the laying out of that
land for its. future development.
A school survey here in Hawaii
would mean the presentation to our
people of a plan for the future devel-
opment of the school systems of the
territory, but it also means more than
this. 1t means that we who are so
from the direct current of
development in modern education,
would have brought to our very doors
the foremost educators of America in
their various departments. who would
leave with US their wise judgment in
regard to the development of each de-
partment of our school systems. They
would cover everything rom the mat
ter Of school buildings to the question
Of the relationship of the public and
private schools in the islands.
DIR. Brown made one suggestion in
regard to which wish particularly to
express my approval, namely, that II
Mr.. Claxton is asked to make the sur
vey, he be asked to make a sur
yey of all of the schools in the terri.
tory, not simply of the public school
system. As president of the Mid-Pa-
cific Institute let me say that | would
welcome such survey for our
schools. and would consider it one of
the greatest privileges and opportu-
mites which could possibly be brought
to us.
Occasionally one of our number
has the opportunity of a years study
on the mainland, but even that study
Of educational conditions is necessari.
~ limited by time and money, and is
apt to be quite limited to scope.
What could be more fortunate than
to bring right to our very doors the
best and most expert men and women
In the educational field to advise with
US as to how we can make our insti-
buttons more efficient.
Il am sure that the board of man.
ayers of Mid-Pacific Institute would
be only too glad to join with the ter
ritorial officials In an invitation TO
Mr.. Claxtop to make this territorial
survey.
Very truly yours,
ROBERT DAY WILLIAMS"
Kinney Answers College Club
In a lengthy letter Superintendent
Of Public Instruction Henry w. Kim
ney has replied to the letter ad-
dressed to him by the College Club
in regard to the standard maintained
by the normal schools in the territory
and alleged discrimination against
mainland applicants for teachers po-
sitions even where such applicants
come from the higher educational in
stitutions.
Kinney's letter says, in summary:
Mainland and local teachers are
paid the same and are given the
same treatment in every way, provid.
ed their credentials are of equal pro-
'essional value.
This years list of new. teachers
includes only 81 graduates of the Ho-
lolulu normal school, as compared
with 70 graduates of mainland insti-