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.

488 EDUCATIONAL SURVEY OF THE PHILIPPINES

theless, performed listlessly. In type and quality of movement they generally have no appreciable effect upon circulation and respiration and
hence for physical education purposes are of little value.
Breathing exercises are employed. This is not surprising since even
the seventh-grade text in physiology recommends breathing exercises.
With the present, scientific physiological knowledge available it should
not be necessary to point out that oxygen cannot be stored in the body;
and that the rational way to secure oxygenation of the blood is to
engage in physical activity sufficiently vigorous to induce deep breathing. Given the activity, the children will breathe to satisfy a physiological need created.
IMPROMPTU GAMES.-These are simple dramatic games and games
of skill. This material is well chosen. It is not effectively used because the teachers do not know how to play.
DANCING.-Under the heading "Dancing" there are discussed in
the manual the nature and use of folk dances, but the illustrations
(Figures 53-66 in the manual) and the technical discussion are of
aesthetic dancing. The value of folk dancing for the physical education
program is fully established by its use both in Europe and America.
Contrariwise, aesthetic dancing has been clearly discredited in physical
education during the last ten years. The formal technic wholly unrelated to the expression side of the dance, the tendency toward development of self-consciousness, the nonfunctional character of the skills
acquired have all contributed to minimize or actually to eliminate the
old aesthetic forms from the school program. In the present stage of
physical education in the Philippines, clearly the emphasis should be
upon folk dances.
The folk-dance material should be carefully selected. It is unwise
physiologically for children in barefeet to perform the severe stamping
movements characteristic of certain Russian folk dances. Many of
the Swedish and Russian dances in the lands of their origin are danced
with heavy leather boots. Barefoot children can not execute the same
movements without possible injury to the arches of the feet. Moreover,
it would seem not only better hygienically but also more desirable
socially to draw upon the native sources of folk material. There is
considerable material readily available which could be enriched by
appropriate study in the different provinces.
GROUP GAMES.-This activity has an inconspicuous place in the
manual. Representing as it does a fundamental activity it should be
placed first. In actual practice, it is even less conspicuous than in the
manual, unless its very absence makes it prominent. In the visitation