The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1853-08-24

We publish below llfculaf au-
dressed By Mr.Niley. superintendent
of Common Schools. 10 The Commits
tees appointed 10 examine and pass on
the qualifications Of those wishing TO
become teachers Of Common Schools"
This Circular breaches the right spirit,
and must be productive Of good. Its
evident that all Mr.. Niley's energies
are enlisted IN this noble cause:
To fks COMMITTEES etppinfd 10 eraniRs and
pass apOn the gucl. foofions II ihast irishing
b 6tr0me feaehsrs ~ Comnloa Schools.
GEsTLEnRs The first clause Of the
9th section of the Act providing for the
appointment of a Superintendent q
Common Schools, is in these words:
"The Superintendent Of Common
Schools for the State shall annually IS
sue to the Examining Committee Of
each County circular letter Of instruc-
tons and suggestions as to the qualiii-
cations Of teachers"
Hopingthat the new pamphlet edition
of the School Laws has by this time
reached all the Officers Of the Common
School system in the State, nov pro-
coed to issue this my first letter Of sug,
gestions. according to the provisions Of
the above recited clause and to enable
my selfto counsel with prudence, have
been endeavoring to become practical
ly acquainted with the operations Of
our Common Schaol system in differ
ent parts Of the State.
There has been considerable COM
p amt Of the want of competency and
diligence in the teachers and there re
a number of persons interested in the
cause of education, who have advocat.
ed severe restrictions on the granting
Of licences to teach. and the establish
ment Of a high standard of qualifica-
tions.
i On the other hand. some are Of opin-
ion that the choice Of instructor
should be left to the people Of each
neighborhood. aud no estrequired ex-
cept that oflocal popularity. The opm.
ions of each party run into an erro-
neous extreme aud our proper guides
in this natter are the original object Of
the law establishing system Of Com
mon Schools, and the actual condition
Of popular intelligence in the Stale.
The first great end proposed, was tc
learn all the children OF North Carroll
Ira to read and wrIte-to manage theiI
J own business affairs, TO read the histo
: RI and constitution Of the country and
, the word Of God, and to keep them
+. selves acquainted with the progress o
: events--accomplishments very essen
tial in all the free citizens of a fre'
' country. This object was pFedicatet
I upon the fact that very many Of gu
Il people could not read, and on the sup
. position that such condition ct thing
!; retarded the progiess of the State il
]. judicious improvements, tended TO pro
1 duce injurious social inequalities, ant
{ was the fruitful source Of want ant
e suffering.
! The object has not vet been accom-
4 plished I; and until it is, and the stand
d ard Of popular intelligence is thereb
!. elevated, it would be unwise, and i
it TACT impossible. to establish avery big
n standard of mental requirements i
ii teachers Of Common Schools. Still
i. there should be some standard, regu
lated with reference to the actual want
e ofthe country ;and it should be advanc
n ed with the increased intelligence of tn,
Is community, and be kept only SO ia
s above il as to be in a condition to sympa
/. thise with it and be useful in promotin
n it.
!, five will always keep these consi
Y derations in view, We cannot mistak
j. our duties in the premises and upo
), these views our present laws in regar
I to teachers are founded.
i In the first place, the popular viii
d represented in the District Committee
t selected BY the people: these Commit
. tees chaose the teachers. while, at tn
same time, they are limited in the oh
e ject Of their chuice.
! A County Committee OF Examina
: ton is appointed to pass on the merit
e Of all teachers and only those shavin
), the certificates Of this committee ar
Il allowed 70 draw public monies. Tha
this committee might act with prac
/. tical reference tn the wants of the couu
i try, have prepared for it form Q
certificate which has been approved b
S the President and Directors If the Ii
n terary Fund, and which is to be exslu
I slyelv used.
1t allows a tolerably wide margin {
f the committee to discriminate as to tn
e merits Of teachers so as to suit all class
i es; and from this method Of grantin
Y licenses several good results are cor
, fi,lently anticipated. In the first plac
J it enables the committee, without do
It ing apparent injustice to superior me
rit, to grant certificates to those QUA
e lifted only to teach new beginners an
e small children class Of teacher
needed in every county--at least Their
:, are neighborhoods in every count
Z where no higher qualifications are &c
D quired.