Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-03-20
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DOMESTIC,
Froa ne SOnthTesiern pirsinian.
PRIMARY sClIOOLS-hGAIS.

PRIMARY st sITa e sYstsSi;;ey" '"s'""
Mr. HUMEs Your indulgence of me- in publishing
in your paper of the second instant, article had
prepared on Primary School System and the re-
quest of highly respectable and intelligent acquant-
ance, that should address you again the sub
ect are my pleas for repeating attempt 10 engage
the attention of the Legislature in the necessity OF
commencing revsal and extension of system
which, although its advantages have not ye:, in this
part of Virginia. been realized to that extent which
anticipated in its establishment ought not to be aban
doned hopeless Of success, organized and managed
I, suit the wants and condition OF the country will,
therefore, With all due Difference to the superior udg
ment and sagaciiy of Others present before the public
and the Legislature now III session, scheme which
has occurred to my own mind, as likely to overcome
some of those mpedlments which practical results have
demonstrated.
In my former communication, the following impedi
ments TO success were noticed:
/. We cannot with bu, few exceptions, obtain the
services of competent teachers-such give cor
rect instruction in elementary science. They are de-
iectve in orthography-in pronunciatlon-in grammar
in definition And they are extremely defective in
facilities mpart what they know, TO others, not
having been properly trained themselves.
=. We have not the opportunity OF procuring regu-
lar uniform and well graduated set Of books for the
children; have we the means given Us to pay for
them
3. Orr schoolmasters allowed small compen-
saton for teaching poor chldren that 1t is unreasonable
10 expect from them the same attention to the poor
10 others.
a Regular and periodical examinations not made
by the School Commissioners, (many of whom, indeed,
themselves incompetent 10 revise the teachers) in
relation TO the progress Of the children.
5. The present plan does not enoln sufficient
sponslbtes either the teacher or School Commits
sioners, for neglect Of duty.
g. We cannot command the regular attendance Of
children at school when entered.
The following is imperfect outline of the scheme
I like n remedy NJ thp af,cfa com
planned of but whether il might produce others yet
more serious, experience alone could probably decide
Let the Court n! each county, city and corporate
town, represented N ;ic General Assembly, appoint
Board of Directors If Cosnnon Schools consisting of
three of the most discreet" respectable and intelligent
persons, whose services be procured Let of
these be designated by the Court President of the
Board, and General Superintendent Of the Common
Schools Of his county, city, &c, who shall also be de-
signa,ed and Clerk and Treasurer to the Board
and who shall he required To give bond and sccu-
rty prescribed by law for the faithful performance
ofhis trust, Superintendent, Clerk and Treasurer.
Let il be made the duty of the said three Directors
10 divide their county, city, &C. into many School
Districts, and in such manner, may appear 10 them
best calculated 10 afford convenient school in each
and each School District that will provide 4 building
at the place designated suited to the purposes Of a
school that district shall be entitled 10 receive from
the Literary Fund such sum not less than s nor
more than S per annum, for such term school
may be in operation there, for The teacher the said
Board of Directors may, in anticipation, think his
vices to be WORTH taking into consideration the number
Of poor children that may be committed TO his charge.
The said School Districts to be represented by numbers
consccutivcly, and the to which each number is
entitled affixed. Fit shall appear TO tho Board of any
county, &c. that the interests Of any School District
would be advanced BY procuring lot OF ground with
the Schoolhousc, TO be IN the county Of from TO
acres, and such lot parcel Of land be pro-
cured without expense to the fund, they shall then
either take lease for tenancy will for term
said lot or parcel OF land and honse, fee simple
title, if that can be had, to the said Board of Direc
and their in Office in trust for the use
Of said School District, and shall have power TO dives
themselves of title, should the situation afterwards be
come impracticabe for school, or should other cir
cumstances require, in the opinion Of the Board
The plan and arrangement Of the said several Schoo
Districts shall, by the said President of the Board, be
filed IN the Clerks Office Of his county, city, &C. ant
the sad Board shall have power, and they shall be re
quired, at their annual meetings. f necessary to make
any changes in the plans Of said School Districts they
may think the public interest requires, nnd report the
same 10 The Clerks Of their respective Courts and they
shall annually prepare, agreeaby 10 such arrange
lnen copy of said plan with the several School Dis
trcts numbered aforesaid and the sum which eacl
may be entitled to receive from the Literary Fund &C
cording to each revision they may make. And the
said Board shall keep complete and regular record o
said plan of Districts, designations and proceedings
and exhibit the TO the inspection OF any person
interested therein
Let there be n meeting of the Board of Directors
each OF the three first quarterly terms of their respective
courts, for the purpose of deciding any difficulties
that may arise with the superintendent in the duties as
signed him SUCH and for fixing the salary 10 be pait
from the Literary Fund to teachers, when any change
shall be made the original plan And let there be
annual meeting at the last quarterly term of said courts
of said Board Of Directors, at which, addition TO The
duties above required the said directors shall make the
annual report of their operations and Of all receipts
Disbursements comprising such matter and in such form
as may be prescribed by the Second Auditor, which shall
be filed with the clerks Of the courts respectively II
which they act and copies transmitted by SAID clerks
ofcourts TO the Second Auditor.
Let the said Superintendent be required to make Sc
lection of all poor children TO be sent to school between
the ages Of and years; TO examine into the ac-
quirements and capacity to teach, and moral deport
ment Of every schoolmaster offering to teach IN any
of said school districts, and to select none whose &C
quiremens, capacity TO teach and moral department,
would, in the estimation of such Superintendent, rem.
der him UNFIT. LeS be made the duty of the Super
ncndent to visit each school at the close of every
sion Of five or six months the close of each quar-
ter, the may be examine into the progress of
ing instruction to their pupils; and incorporate the
suit Of such examinations, with reference to the pro-
gress of the students and capabilities of the teachers
respectively in the annual reports.
Let the Board of Directors be appointed by the
Court annually at the last Quarterly Term of their
spectve Courts, and vacancies supplied at any Term,
and let each Director be required to take an oath in
his Court before Justice OF the Peace as Di-
rector, Superintendent, &c, as the case may require;
that he will faithfully discharge the duties OF his trust
If in the opinion of any Superintendent, any School
master shall have discharged his duty IN the tui.
ton of the poor children committed to his charge, he