The Cordova daily times., 1919-03-06
SCHOOLS
IN ALASKA
Continued from Page Threc.)


Alaska teachers is seven and one-half
years. Approximately 60 per cent have
had previous teaching experience in
Alaska, while so per cent have had
experience both inside and outside
Alaska. While statistics on the sub
ject are not now available, l believe
that no state in the Union can present
a record of teachers so we'll qualified
by professional training and expert
ence as those of Alaska.
The total enrolment FOR the terri
tory is 3,341, of which number 3,046
are enrolled in the elementary school
and 295 in the high school. The num-
Der of boys and girls enrolled is very
nearly equal, there being 1866 of the
former and 1,675 of the latter.
The smallest schools of the terri
tory are generally unable to present
work in either manual training or do
nestle science, due to lack of equip
ment and the fact that the teachers
time is too well taken to permit at
tention to these activities. At least
some work along this line is, however,
done in approximately one-fourth Of
the schools, fifteen in all offering COM
plete course or partial courses. FIVE
of the larger communities offer a com
plete course in manual training and
domestic science, including woodwork
ing, sewing and cooking, in both high
and elementary schools. One school
offers complete courses in these sub
jects in the elementary school alone
and nine offer partial course in
either the high school or elementary
grades.
Special supervisors for music and
drawing are employed in but a few
of the larger schools, although these
subjects are given under the direction
of the class room teachers throughout
the schools generally. Orchestra ard
curriculum of several of the larger
schools. In many localities the phys
ical education work offered is confined
to such calisthenic exercises as can be
conducted in the school room and tC
general playground activities. The
larger communities, however, AFFORD
facilities for gymnasium work. Mill
tary drill as a regular part Of the re
quired course has found it's way into
a few of the schools. Medical inspec
ton and dental examination of schoo
children is not carried on generally
but eight schools providing for the
former and two for the latter during
the 1917-191S school year. Increased
attention to physical education is in
cluded in the plans for future in
creased efficiency.
Territorial school laws provide for
the establishment of night schools and
carry an appropriation for the support
of the same. Seven communities took
advantage of the provisions of the law
The total enrolment in these schools
was 466, this number representing
twenty-four different nationalities.
Alaska has at present no schools
offering a higher grade of work than
that covered by the high school. An
Agricultural College and School OF
Mines is. however, under course of
construction near Fairbanks, and plans
are under way for its operation during
the school year 1920. This college
was founded in accordance with grants
of land and money as provided in the
acts of congress approved August 3d.
1890, and March 4, 1915. The building
is being erected and equipped from
funds appropriated by the territorial
legislature.