Resume of the vacation assembly, 1916

Title

Language

English

Year

1916

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Fulltext

GENERAL TOPICS. HfSlMf or TIIE VACATION ASSEMBLY, 10I«. By W. H. H. Lik sc h, Head Teacher. Misnmia. Preparedness, a word conjured with in these days, was the keynote in taking the preliminary steps which were to result in the 1916 Teachers’ Vacation Assembly. As early as July 23, 1915, comment and suggestions which might help to make the next assembly better, were requested from all divisions. Expressions of views on organization, addition or elimination of courses, conflicts, the supplying of materials, and the selection and assignment of teachers were especially desired. A number of suggestions were received The baskets made at this year's assembly showed marked improvement in both Quantity and quality over those of former assemblies. from the field. Some of these were very valuable and they aided materially in the formation of plans for the 1916 assembly. To avoid conflicts, the circumvention of which always takes so much time, work was early begun upon the gathering of definite data and upon the selection and suitable arrangement of courses. In making the program, the instructions contained in the announcement were kept in mind. Among other things these emphasized the following points: (a) The assignment of each teacher to not more than six hours’ work. (5) The attendance of teachers who had not been present in previous years. 42 GENERAL TOPICS 43 The high standard of work done by the instructors has already proved the wisdom of the first requirement, and the work of the teachers at the normal institutes will be the test of the second. The program indicated that the classes would be in session from 7.30 a. m. to 12.30 p. m. and from 1.15 to 5.15 p. m. No instructor or teacher was expected to work for more than six hours. The policy of correlating the industrial work and the definite assignment as to designs, had proved its value in the preceeding assembly, and consequently no changes were made which might affect this policy. The date set for the opening of the assembly was April 17, and practically all of the 696 teachers were enrolled on that date. Due to the fact that fewer courses were taught, the number of instructors was less by five than at the previous assembly, as is seen in the following table: The figures given in the above table include the 44 THE PHILIPPINE CRAFTSMAN The value of supplies and equipment purchased especially for the vacation assembly, plus that taken from the stock room of the Philippine Normal School for assembly use, was as follows: Embroidery ...........................-..................-....................... M51.28 Bobbin lace................................................-.......................... 129.29 Filet lace - 3-75 Crochet .. - - 14.85 Housekeeping and cooking................................................. 66.39 Sewing ... — _ 250.73 Hand weaving, including basketry, hat, mat, and slipper making ............................................................... 422.52 Bamboo and rattan furniture........................................... 83.06 Gardening and school-ground improvement.......... . ..... 107.21 Drawing . _ _ 66.50 Dyeing...... ...... _.............................................................. 68.97 Methods .. 25.80 Total ......................................................................... 1,390.35 GENERAL TOPICS 45 In addition to the above, the students themselves furnished materials as shown below: Embroidery............................................................................ 1*65.35 Lace and crochet.................................................................. 12.80 Sewing.... 85.37 Hand weaving ...................................................................... 19.20 Gardening 38.19 Notebooks, bulletins, outlines, etc..................................... 119.78 Total 340.69 Grand total ............................................................. 1,731.04 Less supplies returned to the Philippine Normal School... 470.13 1,260.91 These figures show that the students at the vacation assembly used an average of approximately P2 worth of industrial materials. In accordance with arrangements, the total enrollment, except of women teachers, was smaller than that of 1915, as will be seen below: 1015 1916 Male........ Female.... Total 611 293 395 295 690 The Manila schools sent the largest number. The Department of Mindanao and Sulu was not represented. A comparison of enrollment figures for 1915 and 1916, from all provinces, shows that approximately 80 per cent of the divisions sent fewer teachers this year than last. Counting methods as four courses, sewing as three, and conversational English as two, there were 54 courses taught this year compared with 69 last. Thus, there is seen to be a decided movement in the direction of specialization. . A brief outline of the work carried on in connection with the various courses is given in the following paragraphs: HOUSEHOLD INDUSTRIES FOR WOMEN. Emphasis was placed on Valenciennes lace. Not so much was accomplished in this as was hoped for, due to the fact that this was the first assembly at which it has been taught. While the sampler work in embroidery was a trifle lighter, the total accomplished was greater, than last year. Special emphasis was placed on designs and articles to be made on orders from the General Office for the coming year.

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