Sugar planter. [volume] (West Baton Rouge [i.e. Port Allen, West Baton Rouge Parish, La.]) 1856-1925, 1856-04-12
Communicated.
Public Education.

A bill, We believe, was before the last
Legislature for the establi shmeEt of a State
Normal School, but failed to pass. Why, We
know not. For there is no subject of more
vital interest to the people than That Of edu-
c stion-the education Of the masses. And
we are glad to find that there is an awaken
ing interest i'll this matter-that there IS
deepening conviction on the part OF the peo-
ple. that a public education is a matter not
only Of national safety, and a just object OF
national pride. but that it should be a home
education. To accomplish this, a seminary
for the especial training of teachers is neces-
sary, and thisnccessity mast be met by the
establishment of a State. Normal School.
1t appears no more than right, and certainly
il is profitable. for q State that has by law
taken the task Of educating its children, at
least partially, into its own hands, to take
| also the oversight. if no more, OF the training
OF the teachers whom it Is to employ ioT that
,mportant work. The State needs home teach.
! ers, and the teacher needs a specific course OF
! edu. alton. to enable HIM to enter upon bis
duties. practically skilled i'll the best meth t
Of performing them-and thus prepare nm
Tor all his duties before entering that sane
tuary OF the public's hore-the school room
There must, therefore, he provided ior HIN
a suitable place. with we'll taught and intel'i
gent Instructors, an! there he should be pre-
pared. by trials of his own skill and patience
in actual te~achirs-exe,'i ses, for what he !
to do hereafter. By such a provision as thu
the State will give to its teachers, even l
their novitiate, nearly all the practical bene
fits of a wise and ripe experience in tn
school rooms, and will thus provide for on
schools. men and women who are not onl
practically acquainted with the art Of teach
ing,' but, what is Of equal value, who ar
identified with US by birth and education
And with such a training as can be give'
partly at the expense OF the State. they WI
enter their school with confidence, and pre-
coed to their work like tho>e who have ant
cipated the trials and duties, and who hav
nerved themselves to endure the one, ar
promptly and conscientiously to discharge tn
other.
And further. if thus trained in a professio,
al schoo! OF teachers, they are far more lik'
I " 10 make the business their calling for ii
and to become more earnest and enthus
astlc in the performance of the daily routine
!. it's details. and whatever should accomplis
this. should be hailed as a n:b!e good.
. The influence. too, Of a Normal Scho
would be productive Of great benefit. in n
!. only securing for our schools competent teac
ers. but in rendering teachers places mo
t agreeable to them, and mo e profitable to II
community. It will also tram and bind
the profession of teaching, an able. an ente
: prisirg. and a progressive class of men al
k women. who shall co,secrate their talen
and energies to a life-duty in the nob'est
all causes.
/ We have thrown out these thoughts, sho,
q ing the advantage and, indeed, the rece
sity, for the establishment of a State Nc
NAL School, in the hope Of arousing o
II readers to think Oh this sui jert candidly a,
carefully, as its Importance deraan:s. v
= deem the subject one Of vital importance. a
5 feel that We should have failed e. do our dut
did we not present the matter fully and fail
. before the people. We shall. theretorc0a
y an early occasion to resume this subject.