Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1872-02-15
SCHOOL LAW OF INDIANA.
ARTICLE No. 8.

ARTICLE NO. 3.
The state of Indiana has taken it in hand to
educate her children, whose ages are between
six and twenty-one years, of which there
were, at the last enumeration, over 622 900.
For this purpose she has magnificent find.
OF over $S,000.000. The interest on this
amount-congressional township fund, and
small tax that is levied by the legislature.
makes something near 50, yearly for each
CHILD OF school age. The state requires those
who take charge of her children in the capacity
OF teachers to be persons of good moral char
acter; and the law requires them, when they
make application for license, to bring certifi-
cate from the proper trustee to that effect. 1t
Is not convenient at all times for an applicant
to do so, but such is the law, and those who
purpose applying for license will please take
notice.
The state board of education has issued
circular to school examiners directing them not
to license any persons to teach school unless
they have pretty fair knowledge of < orthog-
raphy, reading, writing, arithmetic, geography.
English grammar, physiology and the history
OF the United states;' and without a reason
ably good knowledge Of oil these branches, an
examiner is not allowed by said board to is
sue license, even for six months.
There are quite number of persons teach
ing school who only have certificate for six
months; to all such we would say, that they
had better post up little, if they intend APP
plying second time for license. No per-
son should have six months certificate twice.
Teachers should be strictly moral should not
use profane language, nor visit saloons 1
presume that the superintendent would re-
woke teachers license at once, if he were in
formed that teacher was guilty of either of
these practices. Teachers fill a very response
BILE position. They have charge, to great ex-
tent, of the morals and education of the rising
generation. Pupils sustain the same relation
to teacher in the school room and on the plav
grounds, as they do to their parents at home
1t Is the duty of teacher to be in and about
the school house as much as possible, during
school hours. 1t is seldom any difficulty
arises among pupils, in tie presence of the
teacher. The qualifications necessary for
successful teacher, are possessed by only few
IN comparison to the whole number Some
are well educated, but have not the faculty of
imparting knowledge others have no govern
ment; some are naturally repulsive, and new
er get the goodwill of the pupils. When that
is the case, the school might as we'll be closed
at once. Unless a person has the necessa-
ry qualifications, in good degree, to run
school successfully, he ought not to aspire to
that position. 1t is no small matter for child
dren to lose winters schooling, because of
an incompetent teacher. On the other hand,
it is a heavy contract for a teacher to take
charge of thirty-five or forty pupils, and keep
them quiet and busy during school hours.
There are from ten to twenty families sending
to each school in the rural districts. The head
OF each family governs his children different
~. Some will govern them with rod
thrash them for every trivial nffense; some
will scold and make heavy threats, and never
put them into execution; others govern theirs |
by kindness, never speaking an unkind word |
never telling child the second time to do. OF
not to do thing. Whoever thinks that a |
teacher can govern a school of ordinary size,
to the satisfaction Of all the patrons, is very |
much mistaken; and those who complain
most, scarcely ever visit school; get all their
information second-handed. Parents are
shamefully negligent about visiting schools.
Ii a teacher had charge of their horses and
cattle, they would call around occasionally
and see if he were doing as he promised.
1t is all-important for teacher to get and
retain the good will of the pupils. They
must know, however, that he is master of
the situation" If teacher possesses the neces-
sary qualifications IN reasonable degree, and
succeeds in getting a few of the largest pu-
pills to use their influence in the right direc-
ton, his school will be a success. A few of
the leading pupils can make school success
or failure.
In my next will close my remarks on the
duties of teachers.
Teachers Institute