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.

416 EDUCATIONAL SURVEY OF THE PHILIPPINES

fairness be paid from insular funds. These funds should be applied
for the purpose of equalizing educational opportunity, never for creating
wide difference of opportunity.
THE NUMBER OF TRAINED TEACHERS NEEDED.-The number of
normal schools necessary to carry out the proposed policy of employing
only trained teachers in the schools must be determined by consideration
of three factors:
1. The average tenure of teachers. This indicates the number of
new teachers needed to fill vacancies created each year by retirement
of teachers from service and by promotions to supervisory and administrative positions.
2. The rate at which untrained teachers now in service may be
displaced by trained people, or their preparation brought up to the
established minimum.
3. The rate of expansion of the system, creating new teaching positions which must be filled.
According to Table 39 the average tenure of service in the Philippines, as indicated by the median experience of teachers now in
service, is somewhat more than four years. Since four thousand five
hundred new positions have been created during the four years indicated
as the average service this figure is somewhat lower than the probable
tenure. For an equal number of teachers the tenure may well be
longer than their service. The former is short because of the recent
creation of the positions which they hold. That teacher tenure is now
about six years seems not an unreasonable estimate. Moreover, as
increased average salaries are offered, as improved training gives to
the teacher group a higher professional and social standing, and as the
selective process suggested brings into the teacher group more competent
persons, this tenure will probably increase.
The rapid displacement of untrained teachers by trained persons is
theoretically desirable. If it is feasible, teacher-training facilities should
be established in sufficient number to make possible that rapid displacement. Actually, the rate of displacement will have to be accommodated to the volume of trained teacher supply furnished by such
normal schools as may be economically maintained. As the supply
exceeds or equals the demand for teachers to fill the vacancies created
by the voluntary retirements for service the rate will be slow or rapid.
Moreover, it should be a part of the program to save to the service
every competent person now teaching. Adequate opportunities must
be offered to such persons to take training during vacation periods.
Every encouragement should be given them to take advantage of means
which will equip them to qualify under the new policy. In providing
these means the principle should never be lost sight of that the primary