REMARKS.

Of the work of the past year, the gain in attendance has been mentioned. The greatest gain is in getting many older pupils interested, and the average age of our pupils is much greater than one year ago.

Parents interested by means of entertainments; teachers have visited the homes of their pupils.

Reunions of different schools with a good English programme. Friendly contests in speaking, composition, and singing.

Interest in normal schools.

Principal discouraging features, lack of funds to allow us to build new houses or repair old ones and pay teachers their well-earned salaries.

The tendency to cut the assessment lists and extend time payment of taxes makes the work slow, but we believe time will adjust all.

The most pressing need at present is more American help and some native teachers, under insular employ, so that they may be sent to different parts of the province. Schools of 200 and 300 pupils and no American teacher.

The population over 200,000 and but 19 American teachers, including the 4 now in high schools.

We need from 12 to 16 more for the work; the present force can not do it, and complain of the hard work they are required to do under the present conditions. I sincerely trust the promise to send more teachers may be realized soon. There is every reason to take a hopeful view of the situation and but little to discourage our efforts here, except what has already been mentioned, and with the highest confidence in those who are in authority I have no reason to think that the needs of the educational department will be neglected, nor that our troubles here in this province are the only ones that need repair.

DIVISION OF ZAMBALES.

Mr. Otho Atkin, division superintendent of Zambales, reports as follows on school conditions in the province under his supervison:

I feel that it is not necessary for me to make any comment upon the records I am forwarding. I do want to respectfully invite your attention again to the records made during the year by the towns in which there are no American teachers.

Zambales is considered a poor province, and it seems that it is always afflicted in some way. Just now we have sections that are suffering from famine, others in which the cholera is raging, and others still in which millions of locusts are waiting to devour the rice as soon as it begins to emerge from the soil. Notwithstanding these and other obstacles the people are patient, industrious, and loyal. They are interested in the education of their children, and they appreciate what has been and is being done for them by the bureau of education. I am confident that the records for the coming year will show a great increase. I believe also that we could more than double the records of last year if we could double the number of American teachers.

There is not a more healthful region in which a teacher could be stationed, nor is there a place where the teachers' services will be more highly appreciated than in Zambales.

PROVINCIAL HIGH SCHOOL.

The school of secondary instruction was established in Iba, September 8, 1902, with 2 American teachers and an enrollment of 43 boys and 7 girls. The course of study included instruction in arithmetic, English, English composition, geography, grammar, language, music, and physical exercises. In January, 1903, the school reopened under the most favorable circumstances. The enrollment increased to 63 boys and 10 girls. A Filipino teacher was appointed. The course of study was extended to include the following: Bookkeeping, drawing, geometry, geometrical drawing, history of the Philippines, history of the United States, metric system and native weights and measures, penmanship, physiology, rhetoricals, and Spanish. Brief written examinations were held monthly and the results, together with the pupils' records in attendance, deportment, and scholarship during the month, were sent to the parents in written reports.

Early in the session a literary society was established, the object being "the improvement of its members along literary lines." In this society much practice is obtained in speaking and writing English. It is providing also a valuable training for positions requiring executive and administrative ability.

The school was small because the standard was such that pupils who could not read understandingly in the second reader-with a corresponding knowledge of elementary arithmetic and geography-were not admitted. It is believed, however, that in general advancement, in the fluency with which the pupils speak English, and in the readiness with which they understand it, the school will compare favorably with any secondary school in the islands.

In this connection I desire to state that the almost universality with which English is spoken in Iba is a matter of frequent comment by the many teachers and others who have visited here.

It is a matter of great gratification that the high school has, since January 1, furnished the schools of this province with 5 good teachers, and has sent 8 pupils to the trade school in Manila.

The high school began the new session with an enrollment and attendance double that of last year, and with a greater interest on the part of both teachers and pupils. The report for June shows an enrollment of 85 boys and 15 girls. With the exception of botany, nature study, and physical geography, and some changes in the textbooks, the course of study is the same as for last year. During vacation, however, the teachers carefully planned their work for this year, so that the results are naturally more satisfactory. Much time is being spent in the preparation of work for the exposition, and some very creditable exhibits are nearing completion.

It is desired to add typewriting to the curriculum because there is great demand in this province for clerks of ability, and the tendency on the part of many pupils is to fit themselves for that kind of work.

NORMAL INSTITUTE.

The first normal institute in this province was held during the vacation of 1902June 16 to August 22. The number of days actually taught was 48. American teachers present, 13. Filipino teachers present, 45. Pupils present in addition to native teachers, males, 233; females, 58. Average attendance, males, 173; females, 42. The following subjects were given attention: English, arithmetic, geography, history, composition, methods of teaching, and music.

Owing to the peculiar conditions existing in this province, and to the fact that there are many native teachers stationed in towns in which there are no American teachers, it has been considered advisable to hold two normal institutes each year. This prevents some of the demoralization necessarily attendant upon a five months' vacation for the younger children. It also obviates the problem of poor attendance during the months of November and December-the harvesting season.

The second institute was held April 6 to May 1, 1903. Only half (6) of the American teachers in this division were present. In order to accomplish the best results with the native teachers, the attendance was limited to 2 advanced pupils from each town who were intending to teach. The enrollment was, males, 76; females, 19. The average daily attendance was, males, 73; females, 18.86. The percentage of attendance was, males, 99.32; females, 99.56.

The average attendance in the day schools of the province for the year under consideration was 2,188.

DIVISION OF PARAGUA.

[Report of Governor WILLIAM A. PHILLIPS, division superintendent of schools.]

We have received this year 2 additions to the force of American teachers, but we have lost 4 of the best native teachers. Three of these latter went into the constabulary and became clerks in the provincial offices. As these teachers spoke English very well they were a great loss to the schools and they have not yet been replaced. The municipality is not able to pay the salary that good men who speak English can obtain in other employments, and hence as soon as a native teacher is trained to the point of excellence he is offered another position with more pay.

What is needed is more American teachers for a few years and then there will be enough native teachers for the work to be done, who will come from the boys and girls now learning English.

In the barrio schools we have several teachers employed who do not know any English at all, but they teach the children to read and write their native dialect. The only book they have is a little book called "Doctrina Cristiana." In fact this is the only book printed in the native dialect. The teachers of these schools are for the most part very ignorant and only receive from 2 to 5 pesos per month. It is positively pathetic to witness this fruitless effort to acquire knowledge. It is certainly encouraging to note the difference between these children who have no opportunity and the children who have been under the careful instruction of an

American teacher for two years. I am forced to the irresistible conclusion that either American teachers, or native teachers educated in America, must be provided.

The province of Paragua is a ripe field for the American teacher, for all the natives are very friendly to the Americans and want teachers. There is but little hope of many people over 20 years old ever speaking English well, but there is great hope that all the children will be able to learn English well. The field is open and the people desire to learn English, and already more children speak English than there are grown people who speak Spanish. This province, and especially Cuyo, with proper concentration can be made an English-speaking people.

I recommend that a law be passed making attendance at school compulsory upon all children between the ages of 6 and 15 who live within a radius of two miles of a school where there is an American teacher or a competent native teacher.

The barrio schools need especial attention. I had 16 soldier teachers detailed for this work at one time, but I have never been able to replace them by either American teachers or native teachers, hence the enthusiasm aroused in many barrios has died a natural death for want of teachers to keep it alive.

The normal institute for this year was conducted by Mr. Charles D. Hart and Miss Nellie E. Knapp, teachers at Cuyo. It was not possible to have any teachers present from outside of Cuyo nor was it important, for the class consisted of the Cuyo teachers and about 30 aspirantes in the regular classes. These are far ahead of the native teachers outside of Cuyo. The institute was a success and some very good work was done. A vacation was declared from April 13 to July 13. The normal institute was held from April 13 to May 13.

An epidemic of sore eyes started in February and materially reduced the attendance during the last three months of school, as it was pronounced contagious by the board of health, and all children suffering from it had to be taken from school at

once.

During vacation work was started on the repairing of the old building in which the manual training school was to be placed for the coming year. It has been nearly completed and ready for occupation. Mr. Stone, the manual training teacher, has since resigned, and we are now in great need of a teacher of manual training to take his place. This building, which was an old municipal school building, is now in good condition, and a manual training teacher should be furnished at once. I believe this class of work to be of the utmost importance and should be continued by all means. The following is an extract from a report I had Mr. Stone make to me of the work since January:

"In January we spent the time learning the names of the carpenter's tools, cleaning them, and sharpening them when practicable. Then we took up spelling the names and uses of the tools, changing by writing lists of tools on the board and on slates from the objects and from memory. When they had learned the names of the tools and could give their uses, the boys took turns, one at a time, to learn to use the tools. The rest of the class started free-hand drawing from objects and from geometrical figures drawn on the board, the older classes using drawing paper and the younger ones slates. I had four and part of the time five classes, ranging from 6 to 15 years, and from 13 to 33 in each. We were able to get little, if any, work out for show, but the children all took an interest in the work, and I feel sure got something in manual skill besides the English they surely learned."

I visited the class several times and was much pleased with the work, especially to see the sons of "principals," who somehow or other consider it a degredation to do any manual work, working by the side of the sons of the laboring man. A large part of the assembling and putting down of the American school desks was done by boys in the manual training class. They sawed out by hand at least 200 pieces of boards, 5 feet long, to which they screwed the pairs of desks.

In closing I will say that I believe the hope of civil government here is in general education, and the future of the islands rests with the children now in school. Their loyalty and support of the American Government will be in proportion in which they learn English, the objects and aims of American institutions, and the plans of the American Government.

INSULAR NAUTICAL SCHOOL.

Mr. W. J. Colbert is acting superintendent of the insular nautical school. His statement follows:

The school opened on June 30, 1902, with Lieut. Commander John J. Knapp as superintendent. He had three assistants: Harry T. Edwards, secretary; W. J. Colbert and Juan Basa, instructors. A few days later two more instructors were added: Mr. C. B. Baker and Mr. B. E. Ingersoll. On October 1 Superintendent Knapp was ordered to the United States, and Lieut. Commander James H. Glennon was detailed

to take his place. At the same time Mr. Edwards resigned and Mr. Colbert was appointed to fill the vacancy, Mr. E. C. Phillips being appointed to fill the position made vacant by Mr. Colbert's promotion. On December 1 Superintendent Glennon was ordered to China and Mr. Colbert was appointed acting superintendent. Since that time the school has been without the services of a naval officer, and the subjects of navigation and nautical astronomy, taking up eight periods during the week, have been carried on by Mr. Basa. Mr. Basa understands these subjects and has done very well, but it is hoped that an American will take his place next year in these two subjects.

The number of students at the beginning of the year was 73, divided among the four classes as follows: First class, 16; second class, 8; third class, 19; fourth class, 30. None were added to the first class, and 1 left school, leaving 15 to graduate. One entered the second class and 3 left during the school year, leaving 6 at the close of the year. Three entered the third class, and 4 left, leaving 18 at the close of the year. Ten entered the fourth class, 11 left, and 1 died, leaving 28. This gives a total of 67 students enrolled at the end of the year. The attendance was fairly good; 94.45 per cent for the first class, 98.59 per cent for the second class, 90.86 per cent for the third class, and 92.86 per cent for the fourth class. The attendance for the entire school averaged 93.27 per cent.

The entering class was very poorly prepared. I am told that this is always the case. Some system of selection by division superintendents or governors of provinces of bright boys would remedy this. Not more than five or six boys in the school ever had any instruction by American teachers before entering the nautical school. With such a state of affairs existing it is very difficult and, I might say, almost impossible for the instructors to do good work. By good work I mean turn out good products, for results are almost the only things by which to judge a workman.

Entrance examinations for the present year began on June 15 and continued thereafter for two weeks. Sixteen applicants appeared on the first day. June 29 the work of all classes commenced, and the number of new applicants had increased to 40, one of whom was placed in an advanced class. Since that time 28 students have been added to the entering class, 7 left or were dropped, which leaves 60 students enrolled in that class at the present time. At the close of last year there were 28 students in the lowest class. All of them have returned to the school. I have dropped 1, as he could not do the work required, and have added 4. This gives the third class an enrollment of 31. Of the 18 who were enrolled in the next higher class last year 16 have returned and 1 new pupil has been placed in the class. Of the 2 who have not returned to the school 1 is in the civil service and the other is in business with his father.

The six boys of the next class have returned to take the last year's studies in the school. These figures give us a total of 113, as compared with 60 one year ago. About 20 applications were not accepted.

The attendance has been very good-94 per cent. Last year at the same time it was 86 per cent. This improvement is quite gratifying when we take into consideration the heavy rains of the past month and the great distances many of the students have to travel.

EQUIPMENT.

The school is well supplied with books; with other essentials not so well. We need a laboratory to supplement the text-books in chemistry and physics. I understand that apparatus for both has been ordered from the United States. I hope that these will be sent to the school as soon as possible after its arrival. Mr. Ingersoll has done very fine work in both chemistry and physics, but lack of apparatus has been a severe handicap. We need also about 150 chairs with writing arms attached. At present we have benches, stools, a few chairs, and some tables. I asked for some of this style of chairs about six months ago, but have heard nothing in regard to it. The present building is unsuitable. The rooms are very small and are poorly lighted and ventilated. I made mention of this in my last report to Doctor Bryan."

COURSE OF STUDY.

The work in English and history has not been as successful as I could wish. The instructors have paid too much attention to text-books. We need a teacher in the school who has proven himself a success in teaching English to beginners. I might do the work myself, but I think my time is more valuable in the mathematical department. I am going to change the entire method of teaching history. Textbooks will be used, but more for reading than for careful study. In addition, each student will be provided with a notebook, and the instructor will state in the simplest language the main points covered each day. The notebooks of the students