The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1823-06-03

MIR. SHtRLEY-The subject Of Public SCh0os
having been brought before the itizens Of this
town in communication from Z A PARENT in
your last paper, permit me, through the same
channel, to throw out a few hints 90 this inter-
eSting and highly important subject.
In conversation with some Of my friends on the
subject Of the communication above alluded to,
query arose Whetter 1t is ca .edient 10 change
the present mode Of instruction an oar pubic
schools # So 1chot as the best mode ~ After
giving these queries thorough investigation, il
was concluded the following remarks should be
offered as the result Of the discussion.
| believe it is a well founded opinion that old
established customs should not be changed with
out fully examining those that are 10 succeed
them. Ii also seems to me 10 be rational
method, when system Of so long standing "a The
present arrangement Of orr public schools * 70
be altered, to proceed with caution, and 20 into
careful examination Of the facts and concomi-
tant circumstances, and 70 examine the various
systems Of instruction that have been introduC-
ed.
The plan proposed bv "a Parent" 50 far AZ X
goes, meets my decided appreciation; but shall
we stop here May we not extend our inqtlir-
les little further? MAY we not inquire zrhicl
IS tie best mole, and whether tbs plan NAV not
be improved in such a manner as to afford
greater saving to the town than $500 yearly,
and at the same time be Of greater " compare
tire beneht,Y without showing any disrespect to
the propositions by him submitted By his ar
rangement the Improvement to be made is a re-
moval OF females from the males, and thus redu-
cling the present expenses of our schools from
$2,750 TO S2,250, making $500 less per year.
This sum (S2, G50) aPrertioned among $50 chit
dren IS about $4,32 70 each, the AVERAGING ex-
pense OF educating child one year, Now, for
the sake Of even numbers we will suppose each
school TO contain 100 children and the usual
time the school keers each day 20 be hours,
which time, divided among 100 children II three
flaHes me instructor or instrnctress has 10 de-
vote 70 the instruction Of each child Der day
The question now arises whether one person, by
the Common. method cIn instruct 100 children a.
they ought TO ce instructed II three minrtes
~ day sufficient time TO &c appropriated to
lie education of each Child I'D the various branch
es taught IN our schools? This calculation Is
made on the principle that the school is perfect
~ StH but the fact is otherwise. Much of an
instructors time must be necessarily employed
IN chastIsng offenders, and keeping the school
IN order--there being always many turbulent
Children in large school, The answer is OBJ
Vious TO every person in the least acauainied
with the education Of children that minutes
Is moi sufficient time consequently, 100 chill
orcn IS more than one can instruct.
Inns brings me 70 the inquiry whether plan
cannot be pat into operation, BY which tho schools
may be instructed in bitter nlqfner and at az
cheap Or cheaper rate II reasonable expec-
tatlon should be raised that this can be accom-
P'lsiied, y 4 not worth while To hazard An e.
peiimentF j i not very important that our laos
shonid be advanced in their education as fast A.
possible ~ order to prepare them forsusefuI and
Intelligent citizens Tie most If onr vonli arc
taken IRON school at "a years CT age To be ptt
!, 70 trades and i then follows, Of course. thee
'ney are thereafter deprived Of the benefits Of
IesV'ar instruction. 1t is, therefore Of the most
monentous Importance that the hest method
s'''ieo ee made u~e OF 10 rapidly a4ysucs tam
"Aus' they haze opportunity.