Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1858-03-04

T
as its Importance demands this is not claimed.
The whole school system is in some localities,
disapproyed of; in Others certain provisions Of
the law are considered unjust aud oppressive.
But after making dne allowance for all these.
it is safe to conclGde that the cause is gaining
in popular favor. The opposition is becomng
less and less vigorous, as the beneficial results
of the system are being more and more degei
oped. ~. a.asa.sg.. es
EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES. s.-There are in
Bradford some appliances to which the friends
of education look with interest and confidence
as aids The SUsquehsnna Collegiate Inst-
tute, located at Towanda, the county seat, is
doing good work in the educational field, by
sending forth, from its Normal department,
some fifteen or twenty teachers each term
There have been connected with this depart
ment Of the institution, enc hundred and for
ty-two pupils during the three years OF its ope-
ration. These young ladies and gentlemen
have not all attended a sufficient length pf
time to become thoroughly qualified for teach
ing yet all have received much valuable in
struction, and are better teachers than they
were before Several have attended through
the full term of three years, and are compe-
tent to teach all Of tae more advanced sciences
that are usually taught in our high schools
The elementary or common school branches
are well attended to by the students in the
Normal school department, and instruction is
daily given in the science Of teaching.
The Bradford County Ttaehers' association
is also rendering efficient aid to teachers, as
we'll as to directors and others, engaged in adj
yaneing the cause OF common schools in the
county. This organization has been in sue
cessfui operation for about three years, and is
growing in popular favor. is meetings, which
are quarterly, and held in different parts OF
the connty, are nnmerousy attended by all
classes in the community where they are held
and it is believed that in 10 instance have
they failed to be followed by salutary results.
A spirit of inquiry and desire for improve
meut have thus been stirred up which must
eventually produce great good to the cause
many objections 10 the school law have been
removed, and much useful information has
been disseminated By the addresses, essays and
discussions. These organizations have htheI-
to harmouiously operated together, and the
schools of the county are already beg nning TO
exLibi. the effects of their joint labOrs.
CEKrIFIcArEs.-I am not disposed to favor
any alterations in the school law that require
legislative enactmentS Permanency, stability
aud reliability, in system Of public inStruc-
ton, even if it be not the best that it could be
made. are to be preferred to constant change.
People want to know what they are 10 depend
upon Yet, while would oppose any aitera-
tions in the organic structure of our system,
would at the same time suggest the proprie
" OF having the Department change some
what the form Of teachers certificates, and
the terms and conditions upon which they are
TO be held. Many teachers may not be fully
entitled 10 professional certificates" who
ought not, however, to be required every
twelve-month TO present themselves before the
examining officers, ana answer just about the
same queries, and receive the same kind of
q certificate from year to year. Is not this
plan calculated to make inrge class of our
teachers, and in many instances the best teach
ers in the profession, dissatisfied with the
whole system of inspections Teachers Of
long experience. and Of acknowledged natural
and acquired ability, are thus not unfrequent-
ly obliged TO come before young, nexperi-
enced, and it may be- lily qualified Inspector.
and go through the farce Of all examination
While would have the avenues TO the teach
er's profession carefully watched and sedulous-
|.
the standard of qualifications required By law.
elevated, would not require ssch teachers.
as referred to above, 10 90 through the form
of an inspection merely because the law re-
quires it.
Work TO BE DoSE-AlthouSh cannot re-
port what ias ben done, il may not be out 81
place for me, IN closing, To express nv opinion
as to the lrorE to BE- dane during the eG>Hing
year. There are about six hundred teachers
to be examined, and the same number Of GER
tlfcates to be Issued three hundred and thir-
tv-one schools to be visited within less than
six months this being the average time taught
thousands Of miles are 10 he Travelled, and
almost inaccessible mountains to be aScendec
and desceRded-Opposition is to he encounter
ed. kindly met, AMI patiently borae with
pablic opinion is TO be aroused sEl directed
TO the cause Of popular and universal educa-
faithful performance Of their arduons duties.
and encouraged To labor on against opposi-
ton and without TaY-teaeherS are to DC urg-
cd and persuaded. IL possible. 10 qualify them>
selves TO teach and govern betief-to be more
faithful, more usefnl-Pnhlie MEETINGS are TO
be al dlreSsed-teachers aS>oeistoHs 10 DO
Observation-Disclosures TO iie established and
ouducted-;hnusanls Of questions. relative 10
the school system ia All lis varied and multi-
form operations Gre to -he considered and an
>wered-thousanis os letters to be written.
and thousands of other tlingS to be done. af
which one nnac'fnainfed with the dnties Of the
office can have no knowledge. Indeed. 50 for-
m;da;le Cocs The amoaul o: labor to De per-
formed in the eOaaty appear, and 50 fearful
are the consequences which are 10 Gov from.
the faithful or Eafaiih(ni performance Of thess
duties. that In cogte mplatihg them | ana lell
to exclain ''whO is Sufficient for these thinzs -
CHARLES r COBCRN.
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