EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Because of the strong public school system in the country, The Methodist Church has not maintained many schools and colleges; however, it has entered the educational field in a number of instances.

Union Theological Seminary has already been mentioned. Also in Manila is Philippine Christian Colleges, begun through the efforts of Bishop D.D. Alejandro in 1946, and incorporated under both The Methodist Church and the United Church of Christ in the Philippines in 1947. The institution includes Union High School, which was founded by the Presbyterian Mission in 1919; Union Elementary School, which was founded in 1947; the college section; and Mary Johnston School of Nursing. Harris Memorial College and the Ellinwood College of Christian Education also have a working relationship with Philip- pine Christian Colleges. The work of PCC has steadily advanced under the leadership of its presidents – Roxy Lefforge, Emilio Javier and the present incumbent, Juan Nabong.

Philippine Wesleyan College in Cabanatuan was begun as an educational cooperative by lay people of Nueva Ecija in 1946. Carlos Manacop was the founder; and D.D. Alejandro was the first president. Its growth has been I rapid and its program now includes the Bachelor of Arts, the Bachelor of Science, the Bachelor of Education and the Master of Education degrees. Under the present president, Dr. Asuncion Perez, the college has developed in physical facilities, enrollment and quality of instruction.

Methodism started several high schools after the last war: Thoburn Memorial Academy in Sanchez Mira, Cagayan (begun in 1945); Northern Philippines Academy in Gattaran, Cagayan (1946); Eveland Memorial Academy in San Mateo, Isabela (1947); and Asbury High School in Anda, Pangasinan (1947). Then, as Methodist work extended into Miridanao, the Mt. Apo Christian Workers' School was opened in Kidapawan, Cotabato in 1959. Along with academic training, these schools seek to train students in such areas as citizenship; character education, agriculture, animal husbandry and carpentry. An example of the far-ranging program of these schools can be seen from the 1960 report of Thoburn Memorial Academy.

The Character Education classes have been studying Old Testament characters and just before Christmas they read the prophecy of Isaiah which led up to our building a nativity scene and placing this full scale model outside the church. It was the only sign of Christmas on the main street this year and many people stopped to see it.

...About 100 films were shown from the USIS film library...slides were taken locally of work at school and were of interest to farmers, especially the showing of new agricultural methods.

A washing machine was built from local materials, using a plan of the ICA. This hand washing machine will wash heavy blankets, mosquito nets and ordinary clothes in fifteen minutes with only P15.00 cost of materials. And only 15 centavos for the soap...
We let farmers use our knapsack sprayer and sold insecticides to farmers at cost.

We demonstrate again the new in1proved methods of rice culture as embodied in the Margate, Masagana and Japanese systems. Now we are planting upland rice on our own school campus.

We plan to have Farmer's Day this February 20th, in cooperation with the government agencies. This will include a plowing contest and demonstrations by students and government specialists.¹²⁹

Thus Methodist educational work has steadily expanded, since World War II. If these institutions are to make a genuinely significant contribution to the educational system of the nation, they must continually seek to provide the highest quality of education – grounded solidly in our Protestant heritage. In addition, they must j expand where the needs are the greatest, taking into account not only the educational opportunities provided by the Government, but by other religious and private groups, as well. If such factors are taken into account, then the contribution of Methodism to education in the Philippines will be of enduring significance.

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