Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-02-25
For the Leader.
Our Pablic schools

MILAN teDs ~ Aool-
MEssRs. EprroRs ,--Ie have often wished
somebody would pay attention to our school
system, if we can call Il sSstsm.. / cali it
chaos. l was therefore very much pleased
to find an article about public schools in
your paper Of the 2lst inst, Not to make
my article long one, 60 right to the point
was teacher myself Tor about ten year
in the Grand Duksdom of Baden, whore
schools are in a Aourishing condition, because
there, teaching is science and not a bust
ness. When IA years Of age left the ele-
mentary school and devoted myself to pri-
vate study for two years. According to law,
I had to be le years Of age to be allowed the
privilege Of going through an examination,
which | undertook and succeeded in. I
was not, indeed, declared teseher, but after
a three days examination was allowed
to enter the seminary, an Institution where
Young men (there were no girls) are trained
for teaching. In this seminary stayed two
years, the least time allowed; it being neces
sary sometimes to. remain thrseor four years.
The first lesson commenced at o'clock A.
NJ, and the last at 0 O'Clock P. NJ. Music,
especially playing piano, is demanded before
one is permitted to enter the seminary.
When Is years old was an educated teach-
er, and as such got certificate and school
from the government. To the seminary is
Joined a classical school, which is visited by
the children of the town. Five of the best
teachers are here employed, and there are
veclasses. Before leaving the seminary I
had to visit these classes, and to spend with
each one a week. A half q week I was
listening and the other half teaching, what
was called practising.
The eteachers in Baden and in ether Ger
man States have not the liberty to teach as
they choose. There is certain rule how
far a teacher shall progress in year; that is
as much as a scholar can comprehend ac-
cording to his age. A scholar from 6 to 7
years Of age must learn arithmetic, for ex-
ample, in ar,all that can be learned be-
tween the numbers l and 10. In geography
all that can be learned about the town or
city in which the scholar lives, and in other
branches according to age. How is it here
In our public schools children from to z
years are counting up to hundred. In
geography they know all the States Of the
United States, but they don't know the name
Of the river which runs through the town.
Our school system, too, is burden for our
children they hate to go to school, to place
where they are loaded down. pity the
children and the teachers also, because the
latter do Just what must be expected Of them
from their own education. do not believe
we ought to do less for the education of our
teachers than the government of Baden does.
That people, governed by princes, demanded
in Is4s, better education for teaekerS; and
how can a people, which governs itself, be
satisfied with our present school system
How can the legislature Of free people,
ignore the fact, that intelligence will govern
the world2
Before closing this article Tdeelare that at
the present we cannot do much for the men
tai and physical devopement of our young
scholars. One thing can be done, that is if
we cannot by law compel children to go to
school, certain day, say the 1st of fApril,
should be fixed as the only day in the year
to receive new scholars not less than 6 years
old. The abolishing of recess in winter sea-
son, and allowing the schools to close an
hour sooner, would save many dear little
ones. am ready to give information about
school matters to any one who takes an in
terest IN them. NJ. H