Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1868-06-26

ulhg 10 tnelE guam icdtLoh5 VI RIaue vi CeF-
ti6cate.
The general tendency is to pay teachers
more literally for their services.
Little change was made in the methods Of
instruction; two reading and pen.
manship-were, however, more efficiently
taught, than last year and History was
taught for the first time in thirty of our
Schools Few Directors visit the Schools
regularly. Several townships had district
superintendents who discharged their du-
ties we'll
Out of the whole number of teachers en-
ployed one hundred and eighteen had atten-
ded a normal School and one hundred and
fifty six-an increase of evenly FIVE over last
year-had studied some work on teaching.
One hundred and thirty six males and fifty
eight females were employed; seven-fve
males and two Misunderstanding made mis-
take in their choice of occupation, proved
total failures and were dismissed.
EDUCATIONAL WORK DONE BY THE sUPBRIN-
TENDENT.
Twenty eight public and twelve private
examinations were held Eighty four di-
rectors AMI one hundred and sixty seven
citizens were present at the public examina-
tons recall with pleasure the examina-
tions in Harrison. Liberty, Middle Wood
bury and South Woodbury., at each Of
which the citizens manifested a lively in
terest in the work and awaited with great
patience the result of the day labors. One
hundred and sixty three provisional and
eight professional certificates were issued
at the public and thirty two provisional GER
ti6cates at the private examinations.
Eighteen applicants were rejected, and six
certificates from other counties were, by re-
quest from boards of directors, endorsed.
We found after the first public examina-
tions we're over that at least thirty schools
must remain closed, for we had adhered
strictly to the published notice for exemina-
tions, viz:-'that those only need apply
who are prepared to stand an examination
in History and Methods of Instruction.
We had followed the letter of the law,
but found it left US greatly in want; hence,
after receiving authority from ''the powers
that be, we examined a limited number of
teachers, coming up to the requirements, Of
one year ago. Still we found it necessary
to hold private examinations in different
pars of the County, as in several instances,
the directors had taken the bit into their
own mouths" and employed teachers, not ex-
amined, with the understanding that IF
they failed when the Superintendent came
round they would receive no pay" Some
did fail Thus it was that so many were
examined privately. 1t was a work of
necessity. The new supplement made the
supply of teachers exceedingly short and all
latqtiF means had to be resorted to, in order
to Eli the schools. Not all were filed We
had thirty three applicants less than last
year. The new law is good one and in a
year or two more we will be ready to meet
it fully. The examinations continued until
late in the fall, thus very materially inter-
feriug with the visiting of Schools already
open Two hundred and four schools were
visited at an average length Of l.54, to each
visit attended several district and two
County institutes, eleven educational meet
ings aud visited twenty four schools in
Philadelphia for information No time was
lost during the term of the public schools,
The County Institute-the first held here
for three years-was success. Ninety four
teachers were present at its sessions and all
manifested considerable interest The in-
stitute was held in November. Atits close,
the teachers went to their respective fields
Of labor and began organizing district insti-
tutes One year ago ten teachers attended
a township institute; last winter the number
was increased to fifty one. District insti-
tutes did good work wherever they were
opened, save in Middle Woodbury.. We
state facts, though we may not fatter some
of our teachers.
EDUCATIONAL WORK DONE BY OTHER
AGENCIES
Thirty-three private schools were opened
during the year. Twelve hundred and forty
pupils attended these, employing forty one
teachers, at a cost of five thousand eight
hundred and thirty-fve dollars As these
schools were, with few exceptions, conduc-
ted by our ablest teachers, they did good
work We have few private schools open
during the term of the public schools, hence,
we do not feel that spirit of antagonism be-
tween the two, so prevalent in some coun-
ties All work together in perfect harmony
for the common good.
Our County Normal School is still liber-
ally patronized, and supplies in measure
the growing want of a higher institution of
learning One hundred and forty students
attended, eighty-fve of whom taught during
the year. The school was under my direct
superintendance, assisted by Prof r. A.
Mcclure, of Chambersburg, J. NJ. Reynolds
and Miss f. NJ Haley, of the Millersville
Normal School, and Miss Maggie MeCleary,
of Bedford. The Rainsburg Academy, un-
der the charge of Prof J. w. Hughes; the
school at Woodberry, taught by j. G..
Kreichbaum and w. G. Smith, and the
school at New Paris, conducted by j. A.
Songster, all did good work in preparing
teachers The press is free. :" We need
but ask and the editors give US space for any
educational items
OBSTACLES IN THE WAY OF IMPROVEMENT.
We have noticed number of features in
our schools that show advancement, but we
have yet to look at some of the obstacles in
the way of progress Among these are ir-
regular attendance want of thorough class
ification; want of public interest; shortness
of school term; frequent change of teachers;
employment of incompetent teachers; ne
glect on the part of many boards of directors
to pay teachers in proportion 70 their quail
feations, and heavy rate of taxation. The
remedy for the first three evils, lies almost