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.

384 EDUCATIONAL SURVEY OF THE PHILIPPINES

carried out in a perfunctory and half-hearted fashion. The explanation of this situation is to be found in the relative absence of leadership
in the school. If the physical education and health program is to
achieve its purposes, individuals trained for the work must be placed
in charge and be held responsible for its success.
PRACTICAL ARTS.-Although this high school is to be an academic
school, training or at least contact with the practical arts should not
be wholly neglected. Every boy in the school should be required to
take at least one year's course of five double periods per week throughout the year in shop work of some kind. This course should be in the
nature of general shop work which would acquaint the boy with the
mechanics of the home and the community and develop in him some
of the elementary skills in the use of the more common tools. The chief
object of the work, however, should be to teach a respect for
manual labor and to generate a sympathy for those who work on the
farm and in the shop. A course with corresponding function, but
drawing its materials from the arts of the household, should be required
of all girls.
FINE ARTS.-The fine arts should not be barred from this curriculum
as at present. Although some technical training in the fields of graphic
and plastic art should be provided for those of special talent, the emphasis should rather be placed on the appreciation of art and upon
the development of standards for the control of the art of the home
and the community. In the realm of music the emphasis should be of
a similar kind. Provisions should be made for the development of
exceptional musical talent, but chief attention should be given to chorus
singing and the appreciation of music. We may rest assured that, if
the great majority of pupils develop a genuine love for the fine arts
and are able to appreciate high achievement, the creation of art will
take care of itself.
SOCIAL LIFE OF THE SCHOOL.-One of the most valuable elements
in the curriculum of any secondary school is the social life which centers
in the school. In the activities which enter into this life, in the athletics,
departmental clubs, literary societies, pupil organizations, and social
gatherings, there are great educational opportunities. At present the
Filipino secondary schools are seriously deficient in this department of
the curriculum. A definite attempt should be made to develop this
social life and direct it towards educational ends. Under the leadership of teachers selected for the task large responsibilities for the organization of these interests and for the government of the school should
be placed on the pupils. Gradually, as their powers grow, they should
be given opportunity to contribute to the solution of problems of school
discipline. Through their civic organizations they should be encouraged