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.

514 EDUCATIONAL SURVEY OF THE PHILIPPINES

splendid group of buildings on the outskirts of Manila in the midst of
an adequate campus. The representative of the Commission visited the
partially erected buildings, and inspected the model and plans. When
this plant is finished, and it is expected that it will be finished in another
year, Santo Tomas will unquestionably have the finest buildings, apparatus, and equipment in the entire Archipelago and equal to any
university of its size in the United States. If the University becomes
staffed with equally modern teachers, its future is assured. The Commission hopes that Santo Tomas will realize its possibilities, not only
for its own sake, but also in order that a strong private institution may
compete with the University of the Philippines in advancing the intellectual and professional welfare of the Islands.
The Catholic Church has an unusual opportunity to render a great
service to the people of the Philippine Islands. It is quite evident that
for many years to come the public schools will be unable to accommodate
all the children who seek an education. The Church has, in many
places visited by the Commission, the necessary plant in the form of
convents and monasteries in part of which schools can be installed. It
has a devoted body of nuns and fathers who with instruction might
become efficient teachers. The money saved thereby in salaries might
be used for modern equipment and apparatus. By providing such
school facilities, the Church can save thousands of young people the
disappointment that follows education in so many of the commercialized
private schools.
RECOMMENDATIONS.-The Commission recommends that legislation
be enacted to prohibit the opening of any school by an individual or
organization without the permission of the Secretary of Public Instruction. That before granting such permission the Secretary assure himself
that such school measures up to proper standards in the following respects, and that the continued existence of the school be dependent
upon its continuing to conform to these conditions:
(1) The location and construction of the buildings, the lighting and
ventilation of the rooms, the nature of the lavatories, closets, water
supply, school furniture and apparatus, and methods of cleaning shall
be such as to insure hygienic conditions for both pupils and teachers.
(2) The library and laboratory facilities shall be adequate to the
needs of instruction in the subjects taught.
(3) The classes shall not show an excessive number of pupils per
teacher. The Commission recommends 40 as a maximum.
(4) The teachers shall meet qualifications equal to those of teachers
in the public schools of the same grade.