Establishment of Philippine Public Instruction Dept.

Schools previously established under the Military Government are transferred under the control of the new Department.

Composed of the General Superintendent and four appointed members.
Meets every two months, can hold special meetings.
Duties include advising on educational conditions, conducting investigations, and recommending legal amendments.
Members paid $10 per meeting plus travel and hotel expenses if non-resident of Manila.
Members serve three-year terms.

City Superintendent in Manila with a $3,000 annual salary.
Division Superintendents in school divisions with salaries between $2,000 and $2,500.
Travel expenses for these officials paid from the Insular Treasury.
Duties of City Superintendent align with those of Division Superintendents except where otherwise indicated.

Appoint native teachers and fix salaries within legal limits.
Assess schoolhouses for suitability and hygiene; can close unsafe schools with approval.
Approve or reject plans and sites for new schoolhouses; appeal possible to General Superintendent.
Investigate agricultural conditions to aid in agricultural school planning.
Ensure compliance with curriculum through visits and school reports.
Monitor required supplies and textbooks for schools.
Appoint half of local school board members.
Maintain residence and office accessible within the division.

Established in municipalities with 4 or 6 members plus the municipal president as ex officio member.
Half elected by municipal council; half appointed by division superintendent.
Terms last two years until successors appointed or elected.
Members removable by division superintendent with General Superintendent's approval.
Duties include visiting schools, reporting on conditions and attendance, recommending schoolhouse sites/plans, managing pupil assignments, and advising on local taxation for schools.

Each pueblo constitutes a school district.
Municipal councils must provide local taxation to support schools.
Division superintendent may adjust district boundaries in special cases and allocate fiscal responsibility accordingly.

English shall become the basis of public school instruction as soon as practical.
Soldiers may be deployed as instructors temporarily until replaced by trained teachers.

General Superintendent authorized to procure up to 1,000 trained teachers from the United States.
Monthly salaries between $75 and $125 based on qualifications and position importance.
Government pays necessary travel expenses for these teachers.

Teachers prohibited from teaching or promoting any church doctrine or religious sect in public schools.
Violation may result in dismissal after due hearing.
Priests or ministers may teach religion to interested pupils for half an hour thrice weekly, with parent's written consent and under school scheduling.
Religious instruction must not be conducted by public school teachers nor be mandatory.
Division superintendent may forbid entry of religious teachers who disrupt order or discipline.

Normal School in Manila for teaching sciences.
Trade School in Manila for vocational instruction.
Agricultural School in Negros Island with site recommended by advisory board.
General Superintendent oversees organization, operation, and qualifications of these schools.

General Superintendent authorized to plan and estimate costs for school buildings.
Total costs for buildings and equipment capped at $400,000.
Plans and estimates submitted to the Commission.

Act does not restrict or impede establishment and maintenance of private schools.