Evening star., 1925-10-31
FILIPINO SCHOOL
4, NEEDS STRESSED
Gen. Wood Presents Plea for
More American Teachers
in the Islands.

Supporting his belief that English
should be the common language of
the Philippines, the urgent need for
more American teachers in the
schools of the islands is cmphas sized
i'm a report of conditions there by
Mai. Gen. Leonard Wood. governor
general of the archipelago, which is
now being studied by the War De
partment.
The American governor general $
report praises the progress already
made in the islands. but sounds a
note of warning that without skilled
American teachers the hope of build
ing up national solidarity is lessened.
Gen. Wood also declares that the
operation of the Osmena retirement
act. which permits retirement after
six wears service with 60 per cent OF
p wears salary for three years and
a years salary after 10 years service,
has had a had effect.
This law. in conjunction with the
continued agitation concerning inde-
pendence." Cen. Wood said. has in
duced many Americans to accept re-
tire1nent under the conditions thus
stated and seek employment else
where The result has been to seri-
ously handicap the Government. espe-
cially in the Department of Public
instruction"
Supplement Native Stats.
The necessity of supplementing the
present native teaching staffs with
American instructors also is empha-
sized in the report of the special edu-
cstional survey commission. which is
now before the Philippine Legislature.
and which the Bureau of lnsular At
fairs of the War Department is
studying. This commission was
headed by DR.. Paul Monroe. dean of
the Teachers College of Columbia
University. and comprised American
educators and prominent Filipino
teachers.
In his report to the War Depart
meut Gen. Wood gives great promi-
nence TO the subject of public in
struction in the islands. The wide
spread and keen interest in education.
he said. continues to be one Of the
most encouraging features of the
Philippine situation.
The general progress in education,
especially during the last few years.
Gen. Wood reported, has been in
quantity. rather than in quality. In
a commendable ambition TO provide
school facilities for ali children,
consideration than the development
of real educational efficiency. The
system has expanded too rapidly for
the best results. Before further eX-
pansion there should be IA more
adequately trained teaching staff"
Appropriations Liberal.
Gen. Wood said that Government
appropriations for schools have been
liberal, and private contributions in
the form of materials. land. money
and labor for the construction of
municipal schools have been gener
Gus. The present budget carries
o61 per cent Of the total govern
mental appropriations for public in
struction.
Both Gen Wood and the commits
sion headed by DR.. Monroe declare
the Philippines have excelled many
American municipalities in the type
and permanenCy of the school build
ingS erected. Credit also is given to
the enthusiastic spirit of the native
for acquiring an education as evi-
denced in the personal work perform
ed in the construction of their schools.
Gen. Wood believes in the future
of the Filipino people regarding edu-
cation. speaking from personal OBJ
SerVation. covering more than 20
years" he said, ''I am convinced that.
Notwithstanding the many handfcaps
under which the Bureau of Educa-
ton has labored with respect to using
English as a medium of instruction,
English has made remarkable prog
reSs and will by the use of proper
methods in the hands of efficient
teachers become in the near future
the common language.
Common Language Great Aid.
Nothing will do more TO build up
national solidarity than the establish
nent of a common language" he said.
"De$pite the efforts of a few indi-
viduals TO introduce the teaching OF
some of the 81 different dialects into
me public schools, the opinion is
general among the people that Eng
lish should be the national language
and hat the present policy. Of
emphasizing English should be con
tinued.'
Finally. Gen. Wood makes this
declaration: If the interest in eco
nomic development in any way ap-
preached the interest in public edu-
cation, we should make great and
rapid progress in wealth and prop
ertE and Suould have ample resources
with whicn to push forward public
INSTRUCTION. comm unfcauonS, puollc
health. public works. etc"
The report of DR.. Monroe and his
associates Who made the exhaustive
cducational survey this year rpplauds
the progress made in the islands.
Under the drive of American en-
ergy and the direction OF American
leadership coupled with the eagerness
OF the Filipino people for education,
their uuicKneSS and facility in learn
ing and Their ambition for both indi-
vidual ana group advancement the
Monroe report said. the achievements
of % years have been no less than
remarkable During this period ap-
proximateIy $4,000 have completed
the primary grades. l60. 900 have fin
iShed the intermediate grades. and
$500 have been graduated from the
high schools. Today the system en-
rolls S99. .759 children in the primary
schools, 17S,i20 in the intermediate
schools. Jl,120 in the secondary
schools ana 3.535 in the University OF
the Philippines"
ProbIerus Confronting Islands.
OF the problem confronting the ma
tive DupiiS IN mastering the English
language, the Monroe report said
''At no time III the school career
Of the Filipino child does he encoun
Ter the single task of studying in his
mother tongue. Not only must the
Filipino child learn to read, write and
speak tins difficult second language
hllt no ,,lIIcf a,rnp1nliSh ,1n6a,. nm,