The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-11-03
Educational Reform. =,

We will eudeavor to sum up the recon-
mendations Of our correspondent "Fair-
"feld,' whose pungent articles upon Educa-
tional Reform are now before the public. 1t
may be well, however, to say, in the begin
ming, that Clarified" is an old citizen OF this
State, who knows practically what teaching
is, and who, for many years. has studied
the great problem Of popular education.
Passing over the assumption OF "Fairfeld''
that the State is necessarily the proper
agent for the education OF its citizens, and
concurriug with him in the conclusion that
taxes for educational purposes benefit all
classes, we find that Fairfield" makes the
following recommendations
|. That the Legislature abolish the medi-
cal and law schools OF the University OF
South Carolina, und that the University,
dropping its high.soundDg title, take its
old name, and become once more the South
Carolina College. That the College be con-
trolled by FIVE trustees. with not politician
or colored man among them. That the Co..
lege be virtually pledged to the whites.
2. That q liberal appropriation be made
to Claan University, which shall he reserved
for the bentit OF tho blacks.
8. That sixty or seventy free scholarships
in the State College lover and beyond those
now given to the counties) be distributed
among the high schools and academies, to be
given as prizes for competition among their
pupils.
1. That board OF examiners OF known
capacity be appointed, who, by unanimous
vote, shall confer certificate upon such ap-
plicants as shall he found qualified to teach
in the public schools. That State Normal
School be established for girls and young
women-without distinction on account OF
color. This school would prepare female
teachers for examination, while the male
teachers would be prepared at the South
Carolina College and Clafin University.
But any persons may appear before the
Board OF Examiners, and stand their exami.
nation as teachers, whether they were edu-
Gated privately or at the pubblic schools.
5. Ths. two public high schools Zone for
each race be established at every county
seat. That the salaried office of county
school commissioner be abolished, and the
principal OF the county high school be the
executive officer TO carry into effect the
plans OF the county board of education,
which should be composed of the very best
citizens.
6. That The two races be taught in sepa-
arate schools, but that the sexes be CO.
educated.
These are The main propositions OF Fair
s'tield," and some OF them, at least, may be
regarded az startling innovations. But our
correspondent is thoroughly in earnest, and,
| where we most diller from him, we cheerfully
admit the force with which he puts his side
OF the case. It was eur purpose to direct
attention to :he miserable short cOmings OF
our sys,er, ofpublic schools, and to invite the
suggestions Of experienced teachers. We
have partly accomplished our object, and
we hope that the Legislature, at its next
session, VII find time to discuss the ques-
ton of education, and make such changes as
will increase the efficiency of the public
schools without any large additional ex-
pense. In tie meantime we shall be pleased
to receive any brief and well-considereG
papers upon the subject.