| OCR Text |
Show REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF INDIAN SCHOOLS. 407 each employee in the Indian school sirvice a circuIar, from which we give the following extract: Teachers will be afforded full opportunity for intelligent study of the educational exhibits at the exposition both American and foreign. They will also have the benetitsof theconventiondiscussions based on exhibit studies. The exhibits by the various educational institutions of the United States, from the kindergarten up, will be the best and largest ever made. Teachers will undoubtedly appreciate the eat benefits to be derived from studying these exhibits illustrating every stage of egjruca-tional development. It is suggested that the value of their exhibit study will be greatly enhanced if the teachers will make a point of systematically taking notes of whatever they may observe while visiting the various educational exhibits which may seem to them specially practical and adapted to the needs of Indian training. These notes will not only be useful to them in connection with the round-table dis-cussions, but for reference on returning to their schools. The institute at St. Lads was one of the most successful we have ever conducted. and it is believed that it will he productive of good results to the service. . - The Indian exhibit at the Exposition contained samples of class-room work from the schools and a lar4 e collection of rare and beautiful s eci mens of native Indian wares. he exhibit and the model Indian sc? oIo -l served a useful purpose in showin the visiting public that the Indian will learn and will work, by the %e st evidence possible-seeing him doing it. GROWTH OF THE INDIAN SCKOOL SYSTEM. I am lad to report that the past year has marked decided growth in the f ndian school work. The attendance has increased to about 30,000. At the various school plants there have been many improve-ments in buildings, and more attention has been iven to sanitary con- ditions. New sewerage systems have been estab? .] shed, and old ones, where defective, have been repaired or ?!placed. On the whole, the ants at the various schools are well equipped. At the Crow Agency ?i oarding School, Mon.tana, however, new buildings are very much needed. The value of education to the Indian and the duty of the Govern-ment to give it to him has been recognized, and from the first regular appropriation in 1819 of $10,000 this sum has8 r adnally been increased until this year it reached over $3,20l?,000. ach year the number of schools and teachers has gradually increased, with a corresponding annual increase in the attendance of pnpds. Improved methods have been adopted as experience has shown their necessity and value, and increased facilities have been provided. The water supply is carefully looked to and the proper means taken to f rovide abundance of pure water. Precaution is taken against fire, ap the introdnctiou of modern methods of heating and lighting has contributed greatly to the increased safety of the buildings. The health of the pupils is more carefully looked after and everything possible done to prevent the spread of disease. New hospitals have been erected at a number of schools and competent nurses employed, the care of the sick forming an important part of the instruction f'ven . The schools during t e past year have been giving greater attention to the grading and advancing of pupils in a more systematic manner. Better crops were raised last year by the installation of irrigatin plants in a number of localities. By the increase in the number an% extent of school gardens and the greater interest which the pupils |
