The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-03-13
Educating Mexico
(From the Christian Science Monitor.)


to warrant it, definite organized work to educate
the people of that country is to be put operation
by the missionary boards of Protestant churches
throughout the United States. For years past
these boards have conducted schools in Mexico and
excellent work have they done often giving the
people the only means Of education they had. They
have turned out young and women who in
teaching and other positions doing much to
maintain balance Of calm and constructive work
in the midst of the prevailing excitement law
just enacted by Mexico governing education. and
especially education conducted by aliens, may
pei radical reconstruction Of plans for all mission
schools in the republic
Previous to the there had been organized
plan of work among the mission boards themselves
Each established its schools where 1t fit. with
the result that some states had several and some
among schools and workers, it evident that a
much better work could be carried if there was
a more unified plan.
Taking advantage of the conditions that have
compelled Americans to leave their Mexican posts
conference of missionaries and missionary boards
working in Mexico held time ago to dis
reorganization of the work to be carried on
as soon as hostilities ceased This has resulted
in territorial revision by Of which each de-
nomination. CongreGationalists. Baptists, Disciples
Friends, Methodsts Associated Reformed Presby-
terians Presbytcrians north and Presbyterians
south has its own separate territory in which to
carry and develop its work and duplication and
overlapping will be avoided
With the entire country cared for in a systema tic
way the general Improvement is expected to be
much more rapid than under the former method
Among other things special responsibility for con-
tiguous territory will enable the missions to r
range for regular and frequent conferences and
institutions of teachers and other workers making
the teaching standard higher and educational de-
vclopmcnt more rapid.
SO far the schools have been of elementary and
some sections, at least the primary and kinder
Earten will be added while college with depart
ments for the training of native teachers has been
provided for to be supported by all the dcnomi-
nations working together It's location is as yet
undecided.
The public schools of the United States have
served model for the schools in Mexico and
doubtless will continue to do so. When the mis-
sionarics were withdrawn. about two years ago.
there some 1855 pupils enrolled in the schools
The girls and boys were almost evenly divided al
though the girls slightly outnumbercd the boys A
much larger enrolment than this is looked for i'm
the first year after the work is started.
Emphasis is to be placed industrial work the
girls to be taught domestic science and the boys
those forms which most in demand in the
tons of the country where they live. agriculture in
the country districts and in the cities those that
will help them to secure and keep employment. A
little of this work has been done previously Type
writing and other commercial branches have been
taught in number of the schools especially in the
Colegio International of the American Board of
Guada la jara.
High schools arc to be established in each mis-
l;,,t,i
now when many of the missionary teachers and
missionaries have been withdrawn, definite con-
instance, new schoolhouses being built even
in those districts swept by the revolution. While
labor is high, building material has been cheap.
1T helps to give the people feeling of security
to sec constructive work going on" says Secretary
James l.. Barton Of the American board. while at
the same time workmcn who would otherwise be
idle are given employment at living wage
travelling through the mountainous region of North
western Mexico where the native Indians still
Wild for the purpose Of preparing the way for
schools and work to be started, it is hoped, very
soon.
Although popular education begun in Mexico
by Daz ana General Carranza is doing much to
advance it, the country is large and poor. In
spite of its vast resources, there will be plenty OF
opportunity for private organizations to carry on
educational work there for some years to come
provided Mexico in her zeal for absolute indcpend-
cnce of tn" United States and her fear Of cCclcsi-
astical domination, does not exclude northern CO.
operation.