Instruction is divided into three classes--superior, secondary, and primary. In the lowest class, reading and Christian doctrine are taught. In the secondary class, Christian doctrine, reading, writing, sacred history, and arithmetic are taught. In the superior class, the reading of printed and written matter is taught, as well as the writing of Spanish and English characters, geography, sacred and profane history, and arithmetic, as well as piano for those who wish. They are also instructed in the work of their sex--sewing, embroidering, artificial flowers, etc.
Its foundation dates back to the year 1699, and it was directed by the fathers of the Society of Jesus until they were expelled in the last century, when it passed to the charge of the provisor of this archbishopric. Its original object seems to have been that of educating native girls in the fear of God, and to give them primary instruction and instruction in the work of their sex. This retreat serves as an asylum for devout women.
Since 1883, a school has been established in this retreat, with three teachers. They teach reading from the first letters, Christian doctrine, compendium of morals, sacred history, courtesy, arithmetic, Spanish grammar to the analysis of analogy, and in addition they have every week an explanation of the gospel, in charge of a priest of the secular clergy.
Needle-work is taught from the first stitches to the finest embroidery.
Oil painting is also done in this institution, and we have a teacher of embroidery, who is an expert in this art, and whose work is much applauded." [166]
[The following girls' schools are noted also by Archipiélago Filipino, i, p. 353.]
Schools for the education of girls, which, without having the rank of normal schools, exist outside the capital of the archipelago, are principally the four following, the first three of which are in charge of the Dominican nuns.
That of Nuestra Señora del Rosario, founded in Lingayén (Pangasinán), in 1890, with 60 pupils; that of Santa Imelda, founded in Tuguegarao (Cagayán de Luzón), in 1892, with 81 pupils; that of Nuestra Señora del Rosario, in Vigan (Ilocos Sur), with 90 pupils; and finally, that of San José de Jaro, under the direction of the sisters of charity, with 116 resident pupils, 160 day, and 14 half-boarders.
