﻿ix. d. 2 Cain: History of the Spanish Normal School 161 



the Archipelago, and indispensable now and for a considerable period in 

 the future. For this reason, three courses in Spanish are compulsory. 



Three courses with a daily recitation in each will also be given in English, 

 since English has not only come to be of great value, but a knowledge and 

 use of this language are always necessary. 



As a study of these two languages is somewhat difficult, it must occupy 

 a greater part of the time of pupils, to the reduction of other courses which 

 may be less important. These are preparatory courses essential to the 

 primary and secondary teacher. 



The degrees conferred by the school have such a value that they will be 

 recognized by the American Government, and in any case will be sufficient 

 proof that the pupil is ready for any position. 17 



In 1899, Father Pedro Torra, giving evidence before the 

 Philippine Commission regarding the educational conditions in 

 the Islands, furnished the following interesting statement 

 concerning the normal school and its graduates, which is given 

 in abstract: 28 



In order to be a teacher in an official school, a degree as master from 

 the normal school was exacted, but at times when there were no such 

 persons holding degrees substitutes were appointed, and only at such times. 



Of those who have graduated from the normal school some have died. 

 Others have never cared to teach, having pursued the course only to learn 

 Spanish and get a general education. If they had all desired to teach, 

 there would have been no scarcity of teachers. The career of teacher is 

 an arduous one, involving a great deal of hard work, and they do not care 

 to undertake it. The salary which would be sufficient in an ordinary walk 

 of life is not sufficient for a teacher. It does not compensate him for the 

 amount of hard work he has to do to fit himself for his profession. Those 

 who have actually taken up their profession have done it either because 

 they have been encouraged to do so by the fathers, or as a simple matter of 

 honor. If it had not been for the fathers, hardly any of them would have 

 put their learning into practice. Then, too, it must be remembered that in 

 the towns there were other things which would bring them much more 

 remuneration than they would receive as teachers. For instance, they 

 could serve as interpreters for the petty governors, which, without the 

 hard work involved in exercising their profession, would bring them a very 

 much higher return. The way to induce them to exercise their profession 

 would be to give them better compensation, more privileges, and make the 

 profession more attractive for them. 



Teaching was obligatory only for those to whom the government paid a 

 pension. These were required to teach for a period of ten years. 



The school has no connection with the United States Government, except 

 that the latter has continued to pay us the amount the Spanish Government 

 gave us, and the courses are continuing. The amount of the endowment 

 is 8,880 pesos a year; but in consideration of the fact that the necessaries of 

 life are a great deal more expensive now than foi-merly, an increase of this 

 amount has been asked for through the inspector of schools. An increase 



27 Copy in the Ateneo, Manila. 



"Report of the Philippine Commission (1900), 2, 285. 



