THECUBAREVIEW 27 



spending to the rest of the Island, 26.9 per cent., shown in the census of 1907 compares 

 with 11.5 per cent, shown in that of 1899. This also is very favorable. With reference 

 to the number of inhabitants of ten years or more who could read, the results of this 

 census shows these to be 837,958, or 56.6 per cent, of the 1,481,573 inhabitants of this 

 age. Of the total inhabitants of the Island 40.9 per cent, were able to read, this figure 

 comparing with 36 per cent, in 1899, 27.7 per cent, in 1887 and 19.2 per cent, in 1861. 

 Of course, as was the case in 1889, the percentage of those about ten years or more 

 of age in the cities who were able to read was much higher than those in the country, 

 the former percentage being 82.6 per cent., while the latter was 47.9 per cent. In 

 December, 1906, the total number of school houses occupied by public schools was 

 2,149, of which 246 were either the property of the Government or loaned, rent free, to 

 the Government, 1,809 being rented. In these buildings 3,566 schoolrooms were con- 

 tained, the average rental being $16.79. The number of teachers was 3,649, 2,437 being 

 whites and 212 blacks; 1,286 were males and 2,363 females. The number of pupils 

 entered was 122,214, this being 4 per cent, of the total population, or 36 per cent, of 

 the number of children of school age. The average daily attendance was 96,301, or 

 78 per cent, of the number of pupils entered. This is a very favorable showing, and 

 compares well with similar figures of the schools in the United States showing an 

 average daily attendance of 70 per cent, of the total number of pupils entered. 



With these figures can be compared those given out by President Zayas in his 

 message to Congress delivered last November, in which is stated that public instruction 

 was given in 5,839 classrooms by 5,932 teachers. The total rental paid by the Govern- 

 ment was $529,640.00. The data with regard to the number of children of scholastic 

 age in the Island and in attendance is not given. Eighty-nine travelling teachers gave 

 instruction to pupils living in sparsely settled districts where the establishment of a 

 regular school was not justified, whose services were rendered in 102 districts to 212 

 groups of scholars made up of a total of 4,657 children. Night schools also have been 

 held in 37 classrooms, instruction being given to a total of 2,443 pupils. Private 

 instruction was given in 884 classrooms by 1,127 teachers to 25,147 pupils. During the 

 last scholastic year 56 new classrooms in which public daily instruction was given; 8 

 in which night schools were held; and 5 devoted to kindergarten instruction were added 

 to those existing at the end of the previous school year. Progress has also been made 

 in the construction of the buildings, destined to contain the Institutes of the Provinces of 

 Havana and Santa Clara, while the new building for this purpose in Matanzas has been 

 completed, and everything installed ready for active work. The Normal Schools pro- 

 vided for are in operation in each Province, with the exception of Camagiiey. In 

 Havana a Domestic Science School has been established, and the work carried on therein 

 has received the most favorable comment from specialists from abroad who have 

 examined it. 



The State also furnishes through the six agricultural schools, one established in 

 each Province, special agricultural education to groups in each school consisting of about 

 fourteen or fifteen scholars chosen by selection of the fittest from among those applying 

 for entry, and in these schools special and detailed knowledge of agriculture and of 

 allied subjects is furnished. The buildings occupied by these schools are all the property 

 of the State and are ample. 



The figures previously given regarding private schools show a continuation in 

 operation of a large number of these, and it can be said that among them are many 

 whose system of instruction is first class, comparing favorably with that given in similar 

 institutions in other countries. 



It would seem, therefore, that there is only slight necessity for the children of Cuban 

 parents to be sent abroad for educational purposes. The children of foreigners fre- 

 quently go to other countries to receive their education, but this is largely a question of 

 preference on the part of their parents, due, more than anything else, to their desire 

 that the children be brought up and receive their instruction under surroundings and in 

 contact with moral influences differing from those which prevail among the Spanish- 



