Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1870-09-16
3fliscetinmu.
German Schools.
BY PROF. j. W. DICKINSON.


the beautiful structure has been rising,
until now not German child, living in
his native country is unable to obtain
the means of good mental culture.
There is such relation established be-
tween the school authorities Of parish
and the national minister of public in
structions, extending through all the
grades of authority, that the lowest pri-
mary schools are under the complete
control of the highest school authority,
BY such a complete. organization the
government can apply most thoroughly
all its school laws.
In this country we are entirely want.
ing in that organization by which either
State or national laws can be applied,
so as to affect the character of our pub
lie secondary schools; and our private
schools are under no supervision what
ever They may be taught by those
who have neither talent nor acquisition
necessary for successful teaching, and
they may be managed to send into So
ciety the most superficial men and wo-
men, and we have no help for the mis-
chief.
All Prussian children are treated by
the government as though they belong
to Prussia, and would in the future be
come Prussian citizens. The Prussian
government takes it for granted that it
has the right, yea, more, that it is pub
lie duty, to establish schools in which
every Chi may receive such culture
as will fit him to be good Prussian
citizen. The government also clsims
the right to exercise the same control
over the private, as over the public
schools.
Before one can open private school
he must pass public examination, and
be found competent to teach, not par
ticular grade of schools. but to teach
school. In addition to this examination,
he must present his course of study,
and his daily order of studies, to the
proper authority for approval before he
can commence his work
After this has been done, he mutt
take solemn oath, by which he pledges
himself to teach so as to secure the best
results within his power to attain. Then,
during bis terms work, his school is sub
jected to the same kind of supervision
as is applied to the public schools. AT
the close of each term the Inspector and
the parents of the Children are expected
to be present to Judge of the fidelity of
the teacher.
The law in regard to attendance is en-
forced by the school committee of the
parish, who are required to keep an ac-
curate account of attendance and to
make report of all failures, and to ap-
ply penalties.
Prussia is we'll provided with Normal
schools in which teachers may receive a
thorough preparation for their work;
and in no other country is there so much
professional enthusiasm. Teachers dur :
ing the time Of, preparation are exempt
ed from military service, and after grad
uation, preference is given to them over
teachers who have had no special train
ing. All incompetent teachers are to
be promptly removed from their schools
and all teachers who have spent the best
of their strength in the eryice of their
country, are to be supported in their old
age, at their country's expense
All school authorities, including the
teachers themselves, being branch of
the general government, are much re-
spected, and are able to exert COM
manding influence. The German teach
ers study most carefully the philosophy
Of their work. Having received an i'm
pulse from the great Pestalozzi, they
have adapted their courses of study, and
their methods of teaching to the human
mind. They make human culture the
end Of study and teaching. Two ideas
guide them in making out their course
of study. One has reference to the Sc
lection of topics, the other to the arrange
ment Of these topics. Such selection
of topics is made as will lead the mind
of the student TO all kinds OF activity
in studying them. These topics are ar
ranged in the course so as to meet the
wants of the mind as its powers are de-
veloped. The method of teaching re-
quires the actual presence to the senses
of all objects, and to the intellect of all
subjects of study.
While in Dresden, saw lesson in
language given in one of the primary
schools, to class of little girls. The
teacher was strong man, aud distip.
guished graduate of German Univer.
sity. He presented to his young pupils
a birds nest, and branch upon which
the nest was built. He led the pupils to
know the nest through their own senses