The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-03-31
GOVERNMENT LOOKS AFTER
 THEIR NEEDS
Office of Indian Affairs One of Terriforys
 Main Agencies
By CLAUDE M. H1RST General Superintendent


 Alaska conducts its educational pro gram for Alaska natives by means of ll6 day schools and two board ing schools. The day schools are established at points throughout the Territory wh ere populations are large enough to justify schools One vocational boarding school IS located at Eklutna and provides high school and vocational training for the Yukon River, Kuskokwim and west coast children. A second board ing school is located at Wrangell and provides similar services for the native children of Southeast AL aska
 A minimum school year of l80 days is required. School is in session at any time of the year that people are in their villages-rather than be- tween specified dates in all vil- lages. In this way maximum school service is given without interfering with the seasonal occupations of the native people This procedure has made possible an increase of 2,147 in aggregate number of days taught in 1938-39 over the preceding three-year period average
 Curriculum Varies
 Teachers in the day schools are expected to prepare programs of study for their respective schools based upon the needs and abilities of their individual communities. Great variation in extent to which white culture has been adopted makes it impractical and undesir- able to establish and use a uniform course of study. The activity type of teaching, rather than the text book approach" is particularly ad- aptable to this situation
 The program of instruction in the day schools emphasizes the mastery of working knowledge of English for beth children and adults. In addi- ticn to class activities, community meetings. writing and reading let ters, home visits, reindeer meetings, entertainments, and numerous other situations are made the occasion for practice in speaking reading, and writing English The advantage of speaking both the native tongue and English is emphasized The simple business arithmetic required in bar to,- ,fr and similar activities, indicate the point of emphasis in arithmetic teaching. Health education, first aid and community hygiene are stressed Provision is made for so- cial science, music and art. All schools are provided with tools and many have shops where pupils and adults may engage in vocational and arts and crafts activities A limited number of pupils who show marked ability and interest and who are in good health, are admitted to the boarding houses at Wrangell and Eklutna for advanced training.
 Jack of All Trades
 In many villages, particularly the more isolated ones, the Office of Indian Affairs teacher is the only Government representative. In this capacity they T e n 1T cooperative service for the Alaska Game Con- mission, the Weather Bureau, var ious Territorial offices and frequent service to airplane pilots in report ing weather and landing field con- ditions
 Minimum qualifications for teach ing positions require that an appli- cant must have graduated from a recognized three-year training in stitution for teachers, or have a bachelors degree from four-yeai University of recognized standing. Ir addition the applicant must have had two years successful teaching experience.
 The successful adjustment of per. sonnel to living under conditions ol extreme isolation has been improved by employing only married couple, at the more remote stations. Where only one member of couple i qualified to teach, the spouse is ap pointed as special assistant. Dur ing the fiscal year ending June 30 1899, approximately 125 Indian ant Eskimo people were employed in tn, Alaska Service This represents al increase over the previous fisca year
 Indian Apprentice
 An apprentice program has beel established to enable Indian gradu ates of teachers colleges to secur the required two years training i practice teaching to enable them t qualify for regular teaching posi- tions. Three first-year and fou second-year apprentice teacher were employed during the 1938-3 year. Four of the second year ap prentices have received regular ap pointments as teachers.
 A limited number of summe schools for native children were es tablished during last summer Man children who accompany their pal ents to fishing and hunting camr are reached through the mediul of such schools. Otherwise, the would not have an opportunity attend school. These summer SC!