Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1867-05-16
.. For the Reporter.
SCHOOL GOVERNMENT.

| SCHOOL GOVERNMENT.
1t is alleged by some that as good
order is not maintained in our schools
at the present day, as formerly, and
various causes are alleged for the de-
lection. rg.st .r.z .agsg #...
Some charge it to the inexperience
and want of self-control on the part
of teachers, others to the want Of CO.
operation and support of parents and
directors, while another class make
the County Superintendency sort of
wholesale scape-goat to bear the sins
of the people, whether of omission or
commission.
1t is said "that distance lends en-
chantment to the. view" How much
of the laudation of the schools of for
mer days may be attributed to such
enchantment we shall not attempt to
determine Nor is it necessary to
our present purpose to question the
truthfulness or falsity of the allega-
ton, for it is freely admitted that
want of good order is one OF the prom
inent defects of our schools. The
great question is, how is this defect
TO be remedied and are we ready
to apply the necessary means ? A re-
formation is needed. In this all will
agree. That each may go about the
work understandingly and know the
part he is to act, it is necessary to
know the causes, remote as well as
immediate. F-
The first and chief cause we name
is, defective family government.
Children properly governed at home
seldom give the teacher trouble at
school. This remark We have so often
heard from the lips of experienced
teachers, from parents and directors,
and it accords so exactly with our
own experience that we are forced to
accept it as "the truth" "and nothing
but the TRUTH if not the whole truth.
That as good family government is
not maintained now as formerly is an
assertion often made, and seemingly
with as much or more truthfulness
than that with reference to schools.
Indeed we have heard it remarked,
and often too, that family government
had shifted hands, once parents gov
erned their children, now children
rule the parents. Such remarks are,
perhaps, somewhat extravagant, yet
they contain too much truth.
That degeneracy in parental i'll
fluence and control over their chill
dren, has, and does extend its bane-
full Influences into the school, no can
did observer,it is believed, will deny.
Here then we find an efficient cause
yet SO remote as to be beyond the
direct control of teachers or school
officers. Will those parents who are
loud in complaints Of the teachers
want of ability to govern schools
please to turn to the scriptures and
read the parable of the "mote" and
"beam" then consider the following
facts. .-..
Teachers bought up under loose
government, never having been re-
quired to govern their own temper
and feelings, and not having practi-
cal knowledge Of what good govern
ment is, can not be expected to main
tain that evenness of temper, friend
ship and decision of character neces-
sary to the successful control and
discipline Of others. 1t is contrary
to the nature of things that they
should. They may when they arrive
at mature years, see and feel that
their habits are wrong, that they have
not had proper discipline, may put
forth efforts to correct the evils, but
can not wholly eradicate them. The
power of selfcontrol should be gained
before the habits become fxed.-
Again those, whose children are al
lowed to have their own way athome,
and indulge in improper practices, and
give loose rein to their passions, are
the ones most likely to be incensed
at, and complain of teachers. The
character of the parents and habits of
the children render this probable and
experience proves its truthfulness.-
Not the least obstacle in the way of
remedying evils of this character ex-
lists in the fact that those most in the
fault, are the very persons least like
ly to realize the tr nth in the matter,
or take the steps necessary to reform.
Some (and some here includes far too
many take sides with the child as
against the teacher in any grievance,
real or supposed, apparently because
their sympathy is with it, and it
seems to be the easiest way to get
along, forgetting that the good of
the child requires that the whole
truth be known before decision is
rendered. How often thus by has