The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume 45, 1736 / Explorations by early navigators, descriptions of the islands and their peoples, their history and records of the Catholic missions, as related in contemporaneous books and manuscripts, showing the political, economic, commercial and religious conditions of those islands from their earliest relations with European nations to the close of the nineteenth century

ATENEO MUNICIPAL

In 1859, the fathers of the Society of Jesus came anew to these islands to evangelize the savage tribes of Mindanao.1 While they were preparing for that enterprise, they were given control (December 10)2 of the Escuela pÍa (charity school) of Manila, which then contained 33 pupils under the auspices of the municipality and the protection of the captain-general, then Fernando Norzagaray. By January 2 of the following year the pupils numbered 124. All the elementary primary studies were taught, as well as most of those of secondary instruction, and superior education, in accordance with the regulations then in force. In 1865 it was declared a college of secondary instruction under the title of “Ateneo Municipal [i.e., Municipal Athenaeum] of Manila,” by the Madrid government. Some years later it had 200 boarding pupils and a large number of day pupils, and it was impossible to accommodate all those who wished to enter from all parts of the archipelago. In addition to the studies which constitute the course leading to the degree of bachelor of arts, studies of application, to agriculture, industry, and commerce were given, and titles of commercial experts, agricultural experts, and later, mechanical experts were issued.

There were also classes in drawing, vocal and instrumental music, and gymnastics. Expenses were defrayed by the municipality. Statistics show that between the years 1865–1882, a large per cent of those who have entered for the various branches have graduated, the per cent of those graduates studying agriculture being the lowest. In that period 173 A. B. degrees, 40 titles of commercial expert, and 19 titles of agricultural expert had been conferred. The year 1896–1897 showed a total enrolment of 1,176, of whom 510 belonged to the department of primary instruction, 514 to the general studies of secondary instruction, and 152 to the studies of application. The school enjoyed great prestige from its foundation to the close of the Spanish rÉgime, as the methods followed there were better and more modern than any other in the archipelago.3 It had a faculty of 24.4

1 The first band of Jesuits who arrived in the middle of 1859, consisted of six fathers and four brothers, their superior being JosÉ Fernandez Cuevas (see Montero y Vidal, iii, p. 272). The royal decree readmitting them was dated March 21, 1852 (Barrantes, InstrucciÓn primaria, p. 103).?

2 That charge was approved by a superior decree dated December 15 of the same year (Montero y Vidal, iii, p. 272). Examinations were in charge of the Dominicans (Ed. Report for 1899–1900, ii, p. 1621).?

3 The work of the Jesuits in this school is praised highly by TomÁs G. del Rosario in the Census of Philippines, iii, p. 596.?

4 See Report of Commissioner of Education, 1899–1900, ii, p. 1621.?

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