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.

244 EDUCATIONAL SURVEY OF THE PHILIPPINES

is becoming effective. It may be an open question whether too much
technique is required in the fourth, fifth, and sixth grades. It seems
necessary to reduce somewhat the time given to music in the fifth and
sixth grades. It is believed, however, that by the use of music in opening exercises and for assembly and special-occasion programs, sufficient
time will be given for learning a large number and variety of songs, and
also how to read music at sight with a fair degree of accuracy and
speed. The large problem is to teach children many beautiful songs
and cultivate in them a life-long love for beautiful music. Overemphasis of technique may tend to defeat this purpose.
That the children are learning many songs was the impression received from our observations. In one school a class of 43 sixth-grade
boys were asked to write the names of all of the songs they could
remember having had in school. They were given ten minutes in which
to write. There was a total of 111 different songs reported. The
smallest number by any one boy was 6, the largest, 31. The average
was 20 per pupil. This is regarded as a good record for the time given.
Nearly all central schools and many others were found to have
orchestras. This interest in instrumental music is commendable. Gradually the quality of the music selected should be up-graded.
Older pupils who have had little training seemed to over-emphasize
volume as a quality in music, but the younger children impress us as
very responsive to training. Well-trained teachers are getting excellent
results. More teachers with good training in music are needed. All
teachers should have training in music. Singing should not be limited
to music or program periods alone. Occasionally a folk song in connection with geography or a story or history is appropriate. Some of
the folk songs of different peoples studied are interesting and worth
while.
NATURE STUDY AND EVERYDAY SCIENCE.-Very small provision
is made in the present courses of study for natural science other than
that included in the work in physiology and sanitation. Some work
is provided in nature study as topics for English and home geography
in the primary grades. The tests show a deplorably small amount of
knowledge in matters of science.
Much more attention should be given to the study of plant and
animal life and to the facts of physical science in connection with the
industrial, agricultural, and home-making subjects, and with geography.
The Philippine Islands are rich in a great variety of tropical plants,
trees, birds, insects, and other animal forms. A variety of land and
water forms are found. Mountains, valleys, plains, rivers, lakes, volcanic rocks and soils, and processes of weathering and erosion are to
be observed in nearly all parts of the Archipelago. Natural beauty