11. Place of night schools, Sunday schools, and traveling schools, in
the struggle against illiteracy.
While no action of a legal character resulted from these conferences,
yet the impetus given to the cause was powerful, and had weight in
bringing about the decree and the projected law already outlined. Such
a move, combining at once social and economic as well as educational
characteristics, seeking to bring public opinion to bear on the
solution of a problem underlying the life of a nation, and launched by
a newspaper, is unique in the history of education.
The Territory of Magellanes has shown itself remarkably efficient in
handling the problem of illiteracy. It is the southernmost area of the
country, and little favored by nature, being a long strip of barren
and rocky coast, with a climate singularly bleak and uninviting. Its
industries are based exclusively upon its mineral resources; and its
population, though intelligent, is very sparse. By the census of
1917, its percentage of illiteracy was 20; according to the estimate
of the author of a study of the Territory, published in the Anales
de la Universidad, April, 1918, this has been reduced to 7 per cent.
Credit is largely due the Society of Popular Instruction, a private
organization, established in 1911, which offers free instruction
to pupils of all ages. In spite of the prevailing inclemency of the
climate, the sessions of its day and night schools are excellently
attended. The system is centralized in Punta Arenas.