In 1859, the fathers of the Society of Jesus came anew to these islands
to evangelize the savage tribes of Mindanao. [143] While they were
preparing for that enterprise, they were given control (December 10)
[144] 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. [145] It had a faculty of 24. [146]