QuestionsQuestions (Act No. 854)
Act No. 854 provides for the education of Filipino students in the United States and appropriates up to seventy-two thousand dollars (in U.S. money) for that purpose.
Examinations must be held in each of the school divisions of the Archipelago under the direction of the division superintendents on or before March 31 of each year.
Candidates must be students of the public schools, natives of the Philippine Islands, of good moral character, sound physical condition, and aged not less than 16 nor more than 21.
Division superintendents must submit a full report to the General Superintendent of Education, who certifies to the Civil Governor as eligible for appointment those candidates who receive at least 75% in each subject of the examinations.
The Civil Governor may appoint from the certified eligible candidates such number of students as may be prescribed by a resolution of the Philippine Commission.
For each appointment, the Civil Governor must designate the specific school, college, university, or other educational institution in the United States to which the student will be sent at the expense of the Government of the Philippine Islands.
With approval of the Commission, the Civil Governor may designate and appoint up to 25 students at large not included in the certified examination list, provided they are natives of the Philippine Islands, not more than 25 years of age, of good moral character, and in sound physical condition.
The Civil Governor may select and appoint 100 students for fiscal year 1904. Thirteen are for instruction in agriculture and the useful mechanical arts and sciences, and twelve are for special instruction courses approved by the Civil Governor.
The Civil Governor may select and appoint the 100 students for fiscal year 1904 with or without competitive examination, as he may elect.
Students must generally be not less than 16 nor more than 21 years old. The proviso allows natives of the Philippine Islands, of good moral character, and sound physical condition, and not exceeding 25 years of age, to be selected for a course of special instruction.
Each student must undergo a thorough physical examination by a physician designated by the Civil Governor, and the appointment depends on the favorable report of that physician.
Each student must (1) take an oath of allegiance to the Government of the United States, and (2) sign an agreement (approved by parents/guardian if under 21) to attend the designated educational institution for four years (or for the time specified in the appointment), to conform to institutional and Department of Public Instruction rules, to diligently pursue the prescribed course, and to return to the Philippines and take a civil-service examination within two months after return.
Within two months after returning, the student must take a civil-service examination (competitive or noncompetitive at the discretion of the Civil Service Board). If certified and appointed to a civil service position within one year after return, the student must accept the appointment and serve faithfully for a period equal to the time spent in the United States, at the salary fixed, unless separated earlier by competent authority.
With approval of the Commission, the Civil Governor may appoint a suitable agent to arrange transportation, entrance, and care/welfare of the students, and to perform other duties ordered by the General Superintendent of Education. The agent is supervised by the Chief of the Bureau of Insular Affairs in Washington and must submit quarterly reports to that Chief, with duplicates to the General Superintendent of Education.
The agent’s compensation cannot exceed $2,500 per annum (U.S. money), plus necessary traveling expenses while performing duties required by the section.
The education and maintenance cost cannot exceed $500 per student per annum. The Government also pays the students’ actual and necessary traveling expenses to the assigned educational institutions in the United States, and their actual and necessary travel from the educational institution to Manila upon completion of studies.
Appropriated funds are disbursed by the Disbursing Officer of Insular Funds, Bureau of Insular Affairs, War Department, Washington, D.C., using vouchers properly signed and duly presented.
It takes effect on its passage.