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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 7, 1912

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 89, No. 10.

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Reports From Schools

By H. R. S.

The Kingston (Jamaica) School

BROTHER EMILE TONGES, the teacher, writes:—
“The Lord has blessed our educational work here in Kingston. The enrolment this year is almost twice as large as last year, and considerably larger than at any previous time. It has now reached seventy-seven pupils, both boys and girls. Some have passed the ‘pupil’ stage, and are real ‘students.’
“We have a strong primary department, with a good native teacher in charge. I have the church-school and the intermediate school, comprising about fifty pupils. The ages range from six to seventeen. Grades one to ten, inclusive, are taught. Our books are standard. In history and mathematics I have chosen English texts. This meets the requirements of the board of education here. In the other branches I have in use our own books. This meets the minds of our people. It was a problem, and not an easy one, to make people see the necessity of good and proper text-books for their children.
“Plans are made, and soon we shall have a new school building. This is now a necessity, as our old quarters can not accommodate the students any longer. I am looking for one hundred ere long, and am going to have them, the Lord willing. There has been a great awakening on the subject of education. I am keeping in close touch with every parent and guardian. This, I know, is the key to success in running a school. Our elder—Brother J. H. Farman, from Vermont—and I have what we term ‘parents’ meetings,’ at frequent intervals, in which we talk things over.
“Personally, I am very glad I followed your ‘hurry-call’ and came here. I enjoy my labor, and like the climate. It is a grand place in every sense.”

River Plate Academy (Argentina)

Prof. Walton C. John sends the following interesting report:—
“Again our South American school year has passed, and we find ourselves ready to go out into the field. Eleven young men of this year’s classes, besides students of past years, are already canvassing for ‘Patriarchs and Prophets’ and ‘Home and Health.’ I leave in two days to visit the churches in the province of Santa Fe, in the interest of the school, after which I shall canvass two months for ‘Patriarchs and Prophets.’
“The school has had much success this year, in spite of the hard times, and there has been a better spirit reigning throughout,—a Christian spirit, a greater desire to study, and, still more, to enter the work. Twenty students above fifteen years of age manifested their desire to take up labor. Of these, ten or eleven remained after school closed, to attend the special canvassers’ institute held under the direction of Brother Max Trummer. It was very interesting to see them during the practise hour—Germans, Italians, Swiss, French, and Argentine boys and young men, from the ages of seventeen to twenty-four—canvassing and criticizing one another. These are expecting to earn scholarships for next year. During the past year there were a goodly number of the students baptized, fifteen, I believe, in all.
“Next year we shall teach twelve grades complete. The six grades of our primary-intermediate course are really eight, the first two being divided into sections. This enables older pupils to finish quickly the primary part, while children can take the time they need. Then come the four years of the high-school or missionary course. We have added another subject to the last year, called evangelical methods, which will help the outgoing student in adapting himself to the field effort in its different branches.
“One of our students of a year ago has finished the first year of the provincial normal school. He has had an exceptionally fine record, being one of the seven best students in the whole school. The director told me the other day, ‘Julio is one of our best boys, studious and attentive, and very good in deportment.’ I was glad to get this testimony. I had obtained special permission from the director of education of the province, allowing him freedom from Sabbath classes and work; so he has had to do extra work, on account of the loss of a day each week. In two years more he will be graduated a certified government teacher. Professor Gil, our Spanish teacher, will attend the summer normal, and thus in a short time we shall have two recognized teachers. Both Julio Weiss and Brother Gil are spiritually minded young men, and will rightly represent the truth wherever they are.
“Our closing program was of much interest. We had recitations, dialogues, music, essays from those who finished the sixth grade, besides demonstrations from the cooking and domestic economy classes. An exhibition of maps, draw-ings, and note-books was very interesting, besides the work of the sewing class. Dr. R. H. Habenicht and Elder J. W. Westphal gave short, interesting talks, encouraging both parents and pupils in the matter of obtaining an education.
“Our total enrolment this year was one hundred twenty-five. Of these, one hundred four were in the grades, ten were special students, and the remainder, nurses who took Bible and English in the school.
“As the crops are very promising this year, we can expect a larger attendance for 1912.”
H. R. S.