18 American teachers. This work is important, can not at present be conducted by native teachers, and must be continued. Seven kindergartens, containing a total of 222 pupils, require the services of 8 American teachers. This work constitutes an experiment, which is being conducted for the entire islands by the department of city schools. The experiment is resulting satisfactorily and may be of great benefit to the work of education in the islands, but is expensive when expressed in terms of the number of American city teachers required. Music and drawing, both eminently successful, and contributing largely to the success of the general school work of the city, require the services of 6 American teachers. The result of the assignment of this large number of American teachers to these special features of the work has been to reduce the trained force in charge of the more than 7,000 pupils in exclusively elementary schools to 19 American teachers. This force is obviously small for effective treatment of such a mass of pupils. The rounding up process, possible in provincial schools, is entirely impracticable in the city. Unless the class is reasonably small and supervision and instruction careful and interesting, the counter attractions offered by the streets and by institutions outside the department will prevail. The department of city schools has suffered and still suffers from the lack of official support and cooperation. In this connection appears the unjustified assumption that the work of city schools is far less important than similar work performed in the provinces. This assumption involves the idea that the city work is unimportant and easy, that a cheaper grade of teachers is capable of serving in the city than in the provinces, and that teachers in the city have nothing to hope for in the way of advancement. Under this assumption city teachers have been offered inducements to leave their city positions and accept others in the provinces. They have been told that if they went to the provinces they might hope for increases in salary, but that while in the city no such hopes might be entertained. Under this assumption city teachers have been transferred to the provinces against the strongly expressed objection of this office. Others have been transferred to the provinces without the necessity of consulting this office ever having been considered. Teachers have been transferred from the provinces to the city in the same manner. The desirability or undesirability of such transfer has in all such cases come up for consideration by this office after instead of before the transfer has been made. The transfer of city teachers to other departments has been treated similarly. One such, effective about one year ago, has never yet been reported to this office from the proper source. In practically all of these cases, resignations, transfers, and assignments, all of serious importance to the department of city schools, information has reached this office, if at all, after full arrangements have been completed. It is therefore apparent that, in addition to annoyance caused this office, a logical effect of the above indicated assumption is to cause embarrassment and humiliation to American city teachers. The necessity of such a condition is not appreciated. If this assumption is to continue city teachers are to occupy an inferior position, no reasonable security attaches to their service, and no incentive to improvement exists. The element of merit is removed, and their only hope of promotion is based upon the possibility of losing their present positions. In spite of this condition the services of American city teachers have been almost entirely satisfactory. With no incentive beyond the consciousness of rendering faithful service, they have so intelligently and cheerfully acquitted themselves as to be almost beyond criticism. The few exceptions to this rule are practically confined to teachers who have been transferred to the city schools against the wishes or without the knowledge of this office. Native teachers: The improvement effected during the year in the city native teaching force is extremely gratifying because of its bearing upon the serious problem concerning the possibility of ultimately producing an effective, inexpensive, and reliable teaching force for the islands. The native teacher, considered in terms of possibilities, is a success. He needs training-elementary training-and a great deal of it. His training must be thorough, not only in subject-matter but in method. Experience justifies the belief that the greater stress should be placed upon training in method. The psychological training which deals in generalities, and which is common, perhaps essential, in normal courses elsewhere, seems to have no present application to the needs of the Filipino teacher. His capacity for generalization is already overdeveloped. What he needs is instruction, correction, and drill in the most elementary necessities of a teacher. The process by which "the youthful mind unfolds,' etc., may be interesting and valuable for his consideration ten years hence. What he needs at present is the ability to impart to his students in proper form simple knowledge and process. A present effort to strongly develop in the teacher the element of originality is apt to become a source of danger. Beaten paths, prescribed methods, and the ability to properly carry out instructions are sufficient for present purposes. The process of development of a Filipino child is not essentially different from that of an American child. This makes possible the application to the local situation of a large portion of the approved method which has been evolved in the United States. In course of time improvements applicable to Filipino conditions will be effected. At present, and until the Filipino teacher has mastered the rudiments of instruction, the somewhat stereotyped plan of action is the proper one. Teachers, normal: A normal for the improvement of city native teachers is conducted for a period of two hours in the afternoon of every school day. The developments of the year have shown that the points of greatest importance to the success of a native teacher are uniform method, accurate information, and specific preparation. It has been found that the normal of last year was defective with reference to all three points indicated. In order to remedy this defect it has been found necessary to effect an entirely new classification of the institution. Formerly teacherstudents were classified in this normal upon a basis of ability. At present they are classified according to the grade of pupils actually taught by the particular teacher. Formerly in the normal the highest grade contained the teachers most familiar with English. Now it is assumed that all native teachers are sufficiently qualified in English to be able to appreciate English instruction in the language of any grade. The normal is divided into as many classes as there are grades of instruction in the elementary schools. The seven years' course of study in use in the elementary schools is carefully followed in the normal. The result is that the preparation of the native teacher for daily class work is most specific. No time is wasted in giving instruction along general lines. The instruction which a particular teacher grade receives this afternoon is utilized in the work of corresponding pupil grade of to-morrow morning. With this extensive and specific training the native teacher produces fairly satisfactory results. His greatest defect is inaccuracy of process and expression. His advancement in subject-matter is naturally less rapid than that of the pupil. This is because the degree of knowledge which is sufficient for all purposes of the pupil is far from sufficient for those of the teacher. The result is that the former demand for the services of American teachers has not been diminished. Even though the education of the native teacher were more extensive in the work of higher grades, still his lack of accuracy and ignorance of methodical instruction in all grades would require that for some time at least his instruction, supervision, and direction by trained American teachers be not less careful than at present. Night schools.-The work of the city night schools stands clearly at the head of the best of results accomplished during the year by the department of city schools. Practically the entire student body, numbering 5,858, is composed of persons over 14 years of age. Practically every Filipino class and condition is represented in the attendance. The work is being more carefully graded than formerly. Teachers of all but a high grade of ability have been discontinued. Attendance has become more regular and substantial. These night schools have produced several city teachers who compare favorably with the products of normal schools. This office has received numerous testimonials from the heads of different departments to the effect that the benefits of night-school training are becoming strongly apparent throughout their departments. It seems to be definitely settled that these schools constitute the most rational investment which has yet been made in connection with the work of Filipino education. Special subjects.-Kindergartens: The kindergarten work of the city is now conducted in seven schools, with one American director, seven American and seven native teachers. Within the limits of importance ordinarily conceded to kindergartens, this work has proven a complete success. The real bearing of work of this class upon the entire educational movement is not yet fully settled. The pupils take kindly and intelligently to the work presented. Progress is about as rapid as in America. The native assistant teachers offer about the same promise of ultimate success as in the grades. Art: The department of art, with a force of two American directors and 10 native assistants, has been eminently successful. The year's work has included crayon, pastel, and water colors. The productions of the year compare very favorably with those of schools of a corresponding grade in the United States. Music: The department of music has accomplished results far beyond expectation. The force consists of an American director and three American supervisors. Every pupil in the city schools receives not less than 15 minutes' musical instruction daily. This department has clearly passed the experimental period and has become established as a substantial necessity. Respectfully submitted. G. A. O'REILLY, Superintendent of City Schools. CITY SCHOOLS. The unsatisfactory enrollment and attendance condition indicated in former reports has been considerably improved. The following table indicates actual conditions: New buildings have been secured for the following schools: Santa Cruz, boys, No. 608 Bilibid. Quiapo, boys, No. 63 Noria. Paco, girls, No. 365 Real. Tondo, secondary, No. 569 Lemery. Kindergarten, No. 110 Dulumbayan. Kindergarten, No. 87 Padre Rada, Tondo. The sum of $100,000, United States currency, was appropriated for the commencement of the construction of three schoolhouses, to have a relative capacity of 2,000 pupils and to be located, one in Tondo, one in Trozo, and one in Ermita. A statement of the preliminary proceedings relative to the construction of these buildings will be found in that portion of those reports which treat of public works. The cost of these three schoolliouses is estimated at $200,000, United States currency, proportioned as follows: THE MUNICIFAL BOARD OF THE CITY OF MANILA. SIRS: Complying with your directions, I have the honor to submit my report as secretary of the municipal board, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1904. With the growth of the city and the many municipal improvements being made, the work of the board has increased materially during the year, and as a consequence the regular duties devolving upon this office (directing as it does, upon the instructions of the board, the work of all the city departments) have likewise increased, and other special duties have from time to time been assigned to it. Among these added or special duties the most important, perhaps, is that of sending the indigent sick to the hospitals for treatment. The old arrangement with the San Juan de Dios Hospital to care for the indigent sick, under which the city maintained 100 beds, having been found unsatisfactory, there being times when all the beds thus maintained were not occupied, and it being impossible to keep any accurate check or record of these cases, and there being other disadvantages, a new and, as has been proven, a more satisfactory contract was made with the same institution on the 15th day of August. Under the provisions of this new contract the city pays 70 cents (gold) for each patient sent there on its account, this amount paying for food, medicine, care, and professional treatment. No one is admitted as a city charge without an order from this office, and, to avoid imposition as far as possible, each applicant for a card of admission must be vouched for by the member of the advisory board representing the district in which he lives. Victims of accidents and other urgent cases are received by the hospital on provisional orders issued by the drivers of the ambulances conveying such patients there, and these provisional orders are afterwards substituted by the regular tickets from this office. The following is a report, in detail, of the patients admitted and the cost to the city for their care and treatment. Statement of patients admitted to and remaining in San Juan de Dios Hospital. Pursuant to act No. 608 of the Philippine Commission, the treasurer of the Philippine Islands on October 20 transferred to this office, as pertaining to the "Carriedo bequest," 77 bonds of the Spanish-Filipino government, having a par value of 7,700 pesos, and 94 shares of stock of the Banco Español Filipino, having a par value of 18,800 pesos. It was thought advisable by the board to dispose of the bonds, the Spanish Government having discontinued the payment of the coupons; they were, therefore, after due advertisement, sold to the highest bidder, the price received being $3,311 (gold). By your direction that amount was deposited with the treasurer of the Philippine Islands to the credit of the city general fund. The bank shares, 94 in number, are still in my custody. The receipts of this office, derived solely from the certification of municipal records to the public. and the sale of condemned office furniture, amount to 400.19 pesos. During the year just ended the board held 303 sessions and considered and acted upon 2,901 items of municipal business, of which-either because they were of a character which legally required it, or because the municipal board felt itself in need of the advice of its Filipino colleagues before taking final action--70 were referred to the advisory board for its recommendations. In addition to these, 101 items, mainly recommendations and complaints from the Filipino population, were brought to the attention of the municipal board by the advisory board. The following ordinances were passed, after due reference to the advisory board, as required by law, and then published in English, Spanish, and Tagalog: Ordinances passed by the municipal board during fiscal year 1903–4. 51 52 Relating to the use of public streets and places of Manila... 53 Relating to the construction and repair of buildings. 54 Amending ordinances 8 and 18 relating to board of health fees. 55 Regulating the use of public vehicles WAR 1904-VOL 11-6 Ordinances passed by the municipal board during fiscal year 1903-4—Continued. Number of ordi nance. Subject-matter. Date of passage. Relating to the collection and disposal of garbage and rubbish.. 59 Regulating the use of iron, steel, and metal shutters, blinds, and doors. Aug. 29, 1903 Oct. 10, 1903 Nov. 9, 1903 Nov. 25, 1903 62 Relating to cleaning of water-closets and cesspools and removal of putrid and offensive materials. Dec. 11, 1903 Regulating the ringing of bells, the blowing of whistles, and the making of Dec. 17, 1903 64 Providing for the posting in business places of notices announcing the kind of Feb. 5, 1904 Regulating the collection and disposal of dead animals in the city of Manila.. 67 Amending ordinance regulating the collection and disposal of dead animals... Feb. 17, 1904 Apr. 25, 1904 June 24, 1904 Relating to cleaning of water-closets and cesspools and removal of putrid and Providing regulations for the government of the Carriedo water supply of the Nov. 20, 1903 Number of ordinances passed, 17. The following is a list of ordinances introduced and discussed, but upon which final action has not been taken: Relating to the establishment of a fish market at Bancusay. Relating to the manufacture and sale of aerated waters. Contracts entered into, lands purchased and for what purpose, and lands sold by the board. Wall at Arroceros shops (river wall). Repairs to steamship Pluto.. Cutting grass in moat Side entrance to city hall Awnings, second and third stories of city hall Awnings, first story city hall Broken stone.. Manila Electric Railroad and Light Settlement of differences in re-paving $53,848.00 27,400.00 5,447.00 4, 945.00 970.00 2,765.00 a 4,320.00 1, 156.00 939.00 a 1,850.00 25,400,00 b6.00 8,775.00 1,200.00 200.00 a 395.00 a 6,088.00 505.00 3,480.00 18.00 a 3, 745.00 a 3, 190.00 1,250.00 3,000.00 |