A survey of the educational system of the Philippine islands by the Board of educational survey, created under acts 3162 and 3196 of the Philippine Legislature.

BOARD OF EDUCATIONAL SURVEY REPORT 73

These teachers are in a novel environment. They are deprived of
many of the living comforts to which they were accustomed at home.
They have few if any associates that speak freely their native tongue.
They are seldom allowed to leave their stations, and not without permission. Many of them have not clearly understood the details of their
contracts, the character of their professional obligations or the conditions
under which they would have to live. Much greater care in making
perfectly explicit the terms of their contract and the conditions of service
should be exercised. The mental set of the teacher is of great importance to the success of his work. Satisfactory service cannot be
secured from a body of teachers possessing the mental attitude now
commonly found among the American teachers. Either some further
attention should be given to their personal interests and needs, or they
should be given greater freedom of action. As mentioned above, the
promotional and supervisory staff in the Central Bureau caring for secondary and normal schools would be one such aid.
In the fourth place, some further freedom in methods of instruction
and of administration should be given to those who have demonstrated
their ability and character. Longer assignment in a given position
should be the rule. Some promotional reward independent of shift of
position should be possible. In many communities, crowded as are most
of the provincial capitals, some provision for their housing accommodations should be made. In certain provinces houses for the occupancy
of the American teachers are provided by provincial governments. This
is a commendable plan, so commendable that it should be followed in
most provinces. A moderate rental would compensate the provinces
for the investment. A modest household equipment with some equitable
scheme of transfer to successive incumbents should be provided. If the
frequent transfer of personnel is continued this provision is essential.
In no other way can a proper attitude be maintained and simple justice
be done.
In the fifth place, the school day in the Philippines for all teachers
and school officials is exceptionally long. The American teacher is
required to carry a teaching load considerably above that to which he
is accustomed in the United States. The usual teaching load in American high schools is twenty-five periods per week; in the Islands, it is
from thirty to forty. Because of the exceptional outside load in examining theses and papers, teachers of English in the United States are usually
assigned the minimum load. Here they usually carry the maximum
load. Not only is this true but the classes are much larger than in
the States. Consequently the amount of work outside of school hours
is greatly increased. Some adjustment of standards here seems
advisable.