The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1846-02-12

CoMMMoN ScHooLs.-The report of the Secreta-
ry of State, on the subject of Common Schools,
present some statistics, not as fattering TO state
pride as they might be. In the Northwest here,
Henry, Paulding and Williams, afford no reports
of the state Of schools in these counties. The
Auditor of Paulding gives the probable reason,
that beyond the enumeration, not one of the
township Clerks had made a report. OF Def.
ance and Putnam counties partial reports are Civ
en-, but these are so inadequate that, as through
out the State, remedy is recommended in
change Of the law, making the returning of re.
ports, necessary preliminary to receiving any
portion of the public mones and till this is done
it will be impossible for the Legislature to have
any idea Of the adequacy Of the present system
to the educational wants of the State.
In this county there are 81 school districts, and
two fractional districts; 10 schools; l2 male
teachers; female teachers not reported; average
daily attendance of scholars. male, f99; female,
| 1856; and $500 given as the amount paid during
the last year from the public funds to male teach.
ers, (whether this covers the whole expenditures
does not appear;) the aggregate number of
months taught in the County, 81; and 2 school
houses have been built, Mt co st for both of S548
Of the amount of funds apportioned to the differ
ent counties for the year 1876, there is for Def
ance, $437,3l; Henry, S28s, ,o8; Paulding, s89,-
"A; Putnam, $1080,7l; Van Vert, S32O,76; and
Williams, $567,75. OF State statistics, the
rannrt uiv the folIou;nn.
The following facts have been reported.
Whole number Of school d stricts, 1861 {;
fractional, 1877. Number ofcommon schools,
5,3S5; number of teachers-male, 1925,
female, 2,095; number of scholars enrolled
male, 0,794, female, $500; number of
scholars IN average daily attendance-male
49,l66, female, $3.50; amount of wages
paid teachers from public flnds-male $780,.
1877 SO 9, females, $33, 1899 7; amount
paid teachers from other sources--males.
$2s,054 SO S, females, $l2,439 O6 S;
number Of months common schools have
been taught by males, lO,453, by females.
6,464; number Of school houses built. 1874 ::
cost of school houses and repairs, $40, 1875
80 S; amount of building fund by tax, 1897,
$50 36 2; tax from county duplicate, $685.
27O 81 2.
How imperfect these statistics are, and
how far below reality, may be ascertained by
comparing them with the lowest estimate
formed from the only altainabie data
There are, in the State, by actual enumera-
ton, TIP, l52 youth between the age of 4
and 2l. Not less than 5000 districts, H.
900 teachers, and l75,000 scholars in aver
age daily attendance. $50 school houses
have been built, and $4,000 expended in
their erection, and for general repairs. Less
imperfection adheres to the other items of
the report, as the County Superintendents
have not been dependent, for information.
upon the unfaithfulness of subordinate Off
GERS.
The report states that " there are now between
40 and $4,000 citizens of Ohio, over 20 years
of age who can neither read or Write, and not
less than 10000 children between the ages of
and 20 entirely ilterate." This, we hope, for
the well being of society," is an over estimate, but
if near the truth, it is an evil of fearful magni-
tude, calling for active and immediate remedy
Free institutions and ignorance cannot ce exist
without power passing into the hands of the few
We regret to say that our own experience proves
an apathy, ignorance and prejudice to exist on
this subject, that is not In keeping with the gem
eral character of our people, and that is produc.
tive of the greatest injury to social and political
progress. Efforts to elevate the character of
teachers are viewed with suspicious as having
some sinister design foreign to the avowed object,
and attempts to insist upon fitting qualifications
as arbitrary and uncalled for. The wages of
teachers are low, the profession is not held in
estimation, and it is in vain 10 expect that men
of ability will qualify themselves for position
in which their talents are undervalued, and their
efforts 10 advance those committed to
their charge, thanklessly received. A teacher
says the report, should be patient, full of hope
of cheerful spirit, generous, lover of children,
full Of benevolenee, just, lover of order, a rev.
erencer of God and his laws, conscientious, firm,
with talent to command" This refers to the
moral qualifications Of the Teacher, a matter TO
which but little consideration is generally given.
Chdren's character is easily impressed, and vet
as between two men Of differing moral sen,i-
mentsy the chances would be swayed in nine
cases out of ten in favor of the least worthy. bv
a difference Of dollar u month in the wages.
while the impress made may be one whic6,would
not have been encountered for thousands, could
it be foreseen or traced to its true cause Nor is
it, in the moral features that Teachers quafica-
tions are neglected. The presen. system of
School examinations is:hs vsrisst farce that ev-