Smyrna times., 1856-09-10
Our Schools,

Our Schools.
We are pleased to see the in&erest which il
being aroused in regard to our public schools in
different parts of the State. To yus it is an
omen of better things in this much neglected
department Of our political and social system
1t is practically one of the highest interests de.
volvng upon us as a community, and should
receive that attention which its Importance de-
mands. Our common schools, next 10 that OF
parental instruction, is the greatest mould in
which rs shaped the mind and manners of our
people: How important, then, aud necessary is
it.; and with what care and skill should this i'm
pertant fabric be erected and guarded! There
rs obviously great deficiency in the present
management of our educational affairs. II is
system which is not we'll harmonized-and
until there should be a conformity to some ra.
gularly adopted method, we cannot expect TO
hnd prosperous state nf affairs. Our school
system is far from being what it ourht. but
while we have it, let it be improved to the best
advantage. There is no better way, 90 far az
the teachers are concerned, than for them 70
unite and agree upon some system to which
rhey will uniformly adhere. This we look upon
as very necessary, as many of the teachers are
young men who have come from different mr.
suits of business with the expectation of teach.
ing out few years at most and are consequently
unacquainted with the business as a. Science
for science it is, and to be efectual must he well
understood. We have published during the
last few weeks, several letters from different
teachers in this county, proposing to meet ,t
some convenient place and form themselves into
an association. There are many evils which
might be eradicated, and much light given bv
those of years and experience, by such con.
vocation of the tee chers in the county. As
one OF our correspondents remarked last week.
there are too many school books in use and it
rs not unfrequently the case that in the same
school there may be found from six to twelve
different books by different authors. In aritb.
inetlcs, grammars, biographies, &C., we find
the same state of affairs. Now, we ask. how is
1t possible for any teacher to do justice to a
school of thirty or fifty scholars when eyerv
scholar forms a separate class! 1t is simplv
impossible. Much of the fault lies with the |
parents, who are frequently unwilling or ne |
glect to furnish their children with prouer
books; and, should the child make slow pro-
gress, are the first to cry out against the teach
or. Parents should know that an interes,
manifested on their part will awaken a CORES.
Ponding interest on the part of f'the teacher. and
the pupil made thereby greatly the gainer-
Much is lost also by irregularity of attendance.
which IN the country cannot altogether be avoid.
ed. There is a remedy for all the evils com.
planned OF. Let the teachers meet in Conven.
ton and adopt rules that have been tested bv
sxPerlence--select the most valuable hooks
ind strictly adhere to classification: then Let
parents send their children regularly with the
''ght books, and, in a short time, we will find {
'ur schools IN much better condition. s
Our school law is deficient in many particu- c
ars, and, as DIR. Grimshaw remarks. needs '
evislon and modiGcafion, so as to suit tho y
hanges in public affairs since its establishment
Fhe bill for the improvement of our schools l.
'hich was before the last Legislature, and onl, =
icked one or two votes of becoming I.w
'as good one IN many respects, and we had a
opcd would become law. We hope the next
legislature will give this subject due consider q
iIon' and pass law which will be eyerv wav =
litable to the times. .... -.