Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1860-03-30
For the Inquirer.
CUR COMMON SCHOOLS.

There are now 1873 schools in the county, it,
clu4ing the one for colored children Ia Bedford
township. There is an Increase of since last
year Six Of them, however, we're not opened
dnfing this winter, leaving only l82 in active
operation; aud upon the whole, when taken to-
eeiAer they have been doing better during the
last session than ever before. To few towu-
SHIPS where the wages we're reduced, good teach
erseouid not be obtained and consequently some
OF tile schools did not do so we'll. Reasonably
good wages will soon secure good teachers and
COED schools; aud if the teachers are not to be
had At home, they viii come from abroad. We
have had better teachers: better schools more
life@nd energy and less qnarreliDg and jang
ling Among them in this county during the past
wiaker than we have had for FIVE years previous.
1t Was very cheering to the County Superintent
to hear, as common expression, from almost
eyefy section ct tie county, ''0ur schools have
done irss rate this winter." 1t Is true there
were few failures; few persons succeeded in
getsssg in as teachers who should not have got
ten ia; bat such Instances were not as numerous
as formerly, indeed they were rare, and it is to
be hoped this viii be more fully guarded against
iu fGlure. The plan of grading the teachers
certificates is very good dne; under lis infiu-
ence they put forth efforts to Improve them
selves for the duties Of the schooiroom, that un-
der ether circumstances they would not do. la
these townships where ali the teachers are put
into cue and the same grade aud receive wages
alike, end that the schools are the poorest
Poor teachers sometimes enquire for sueh dis
tricts, knowing that poor certificate will go
usi is far there as good Que and command
4 a al
more correct Instructions, iu one day, to school
and give il III better form too, than ten poor
ones can in double the time, and therefore
should receive better wages The principle Of
gradiag the certificates should ceme into genes
raj use. | fnd also that 10 those districts where
the Directors have their monthly meetings, at
least during the winter, TO transact business,
the schools flourish better lhau where such meet
ings sre not regularly held. ali the Boards
should have their regularly stated meetings,
aud shere, and there only, except in anusual
cases, DO whatever business is to be done
Where this plan is adopted the directors h4ye
less trouble iu employing teachers, hearing coal-
plants, settling difficulties and wish whatever
business may come before them.
Being favored with reasonably good health
this winter, aud good weather and good roads,
| was enabled to visit la of the 182 schools
that were open. The short tern of the schools
aud the amount If labor required in some of
them, prevented me- from visiting six Of the re-
naming eight; two Of them being called ut but
they had 20 school On that day. In my visits
after examining tie school aud making corgae-
lions if any were necessary mostly spoke to
the children from twenty to thirty minutes By
way of encouraging them to put forth their best
efforts 10 improve. L suppose as many as one
hundred and forty schools we're addressed in
this way. J. mst with the hearty corporation
of all tue Directors IN my labors, and of all
the teachers also excepting few whose path
L had crossed either at the examinations or else
where. SUPERINTENDENT
Bedford, Mar. 6.