PORTO RICAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
By M. G. Brumbaugh
[Professor M. G. Brumbaugh, in the Congregationalist.] THE first Legislature which convened in Porto Rico after the island came under American protection enacted a new school law, based upon the conditions in Porto Rico, and in strict harmony with American ideals. Under its provisions at least ten and not more than twenty per cent. of all municipal funds are set aside as a school fund. Thus the schools on the financial side were lifted absolutely out of politics, and placed upon a sound financial basis. The average amount of municipal funds voted to the schools was about sixteen per cent., and in some cases the municipality petitioned for permission to vote as much as twenty-five per cent. of their funds for school purposes. The Legislature also voted the department of education, in 1900-1901, $400,000; in 1901-1902, $501,000, besides a fund of $15,000 to maintain young men and women in schools in the United States. American teachers to the number of 126 are at work teaching English in the schools. Through them many native teachers have learned the best methods, and have acquired the English language. To-day almost every teacher in the island speaks and teaches English. There are fully 40,000 children using the English language, and singing our national hymns in the tongue of the great republic. Porto Rico, two years ago, did not have a single schoolhouse. Spain in 400 years erected not one. The United States military government erected one poor frame structure which fire destroyed. The department of education announced that it would erect school buildings, if the municipalities would donate suitable ground. In every case this was done. The sites are in each case large—usually one acre—and convenient. To-day more than fifty first-class brick, stone, and concrete buildings are in use. In twenty-two of these new buildings school is supplemented by actual work in agriculture. Each pupil spends part of each day cultivating the soil on the school grounds. Over 1,200 youths are learning practical agriculture. The poor people of Porto Rico are making unusual sacrifices to educate their children. No compulsory law is necessary. Attendance is higher in percentage than in any State of the Union except Massachusetts, which State exceeds Porto Rico only by one per cent.