Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-10-24
Fer he Enquirer
EDUCATION.

From the various efforts now being made in
minds OF The people on he subject OF Education,
il seems probable thai the attention oil our Lesis-
lalure will be called on 10 take into consideration
the propriety OF establishing public schools in
Virginia An experience of many years has full
" satisfied me, that the present system OF Educa-
ton in this Stale is wofuy deficient. But whether
il can he made better by establishing public
schools, whether by imposing lax upon The people
whichthey would not willingly endure, IS ques-
tion of sraver importance. II isnot my purpose TO
discuss this question: leave ii for others whoare
more competent. What wish 10 do, Is 10 bring
the question before the public whether or not
something can be done another way. From OBJ
servalions which have made, during the course
OF twenty years, | am of opinion, that, upon an
average, children learn about as much IN three
years as they should in one; and, consequently,
about three times the amount OF money IS paid,
and three times as much OF their time spent, Tor
The little they learn, as should be- 1t requires no
deep penetration 10 ascertain The cause OF this
The whole secret may be told in one snort SEN
ience: They are idle. When | say This is the
cause, mean the immediate cause. The causes
why they do not study, involve another question.
|, is also TACT that we would not pass over in
silence, that their RIGHTEOUSNESS bears melaE-
choly proportion 10 their idlcness. The question
is an important one-hor cun This be rcmcd,ed?-
II may be thought by many that this abomlnable
and ruinous course OF youth is altogether owing
TO The neglect OF teachers. How lar this may, in
many instances, be The case, is not for Inc 10 de-
torn hui f1llu a he
present system il has heen and must necessarily
remain 10 be, beyond the control Of teachers. No
motives which teachers, under existing clrcnm-
stances, can set before inexperienced and thought
less YOUTH will induce them 10 study, nor wouI |
The use OF The rod be sulfcient-to say nuthing
about The opposition of parents 10 wholesome dis
eipine. Formerly, This was not the case, al least
10 The same extent; but of late years parents have,
in general, almost entirely laid aside the rod at
home, and are opposed TO il at school.
How shall this state Of things be remedied is
question in which every parent should feel a
deep interest. 1t is in vain 10 expect children 10
advance If they do not study. This is work
which they must do for themselves, or II can
never be done. 1t is as absurd 10 expect The
teacher 10 do what belongs TO The pupil, as it
wond be to expect The pupil TO do the business OF
The teacher. The pupil must study himself, be-
do il for him.
In my opinion. il will prove hopeless attempt
TO excite in youth a more studious aad persever-
ing spirit, until motives of more imposing
character are set before Them. II is too common,
in the present age, TO estimate mans education
by the place where he received II, without regard
10 the amount OF knowledge possessed by him.
Thus, il young man has spent several years
at celebrated institution he is supposed 10 be a
scholar, while those educated in common schools
are regarded as ignorant, or at least are supposed
10 possess but very limited altainmenis IL Is un-
lair 10 calculate and estimate in this y, Tor IS
an undenahe fact, that many OF The most bust
ness men in this Stale received their education IN
The most common schools, while many whose OPP
porlunities were without limit are now mere cy-
pliers in The scenes OF business. do not expect
TO originate any plan that will ever be adopted by
the community, but would merely suggest one
which think would, TO a certain extent, slimu-
late youth 10 persevere with more diligence IN the
pursuit OF knowledge and also 10 study more
thoroughly what they undertake merely sus-
gest this plan, hoping that some ADLER pen than
mine may take the hint ond present some more
efficient plan 10 the public. ! would suggest the
proprieiy of passing an aci of assembly, TO COM
pei each county and corporation to appoint
Standing committee Of competent men, whose
business il should be to visit and examine all The
schools in their respective counties and corpora
lions al least once year, (unless notified by the
teachers lha. they did moi wish t) and 70 give les
IimoEials to such as merit them. These teslimo-
mails or certificates might express what branches
of literature those 10 whom they were given
might be considered adopts in, and consequently
what business such persons were qualified for;
whether they were qualified for the counting
house, for surveyors, ogao teach an English or
classical school. II a>eommiltee appointed by