Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1872-12-26
For the COURIER.
EDUCATION.


The present standard of education in
Iowa is, probably, not inferior to that
Of any other State.
Well may the citizens of this State
feel proud of the rapid progress that
has been, and is now being made
throughout its whole extent; not only
in education but all that is necessary
to make tia prosperous and wealthy
State.
Although comparatively new, 20
the natural facilities are being rapidly
brought to state and condition where
by they are of use and benefit, not to
be excclled by any other State.
BUTT is not enough to know that
the gain in population, wealth, &C.,
has doubled in the last ten years; and
our educational system not far behind
the sister states. We should let pro-
erosion be our motto; and we should
make every excrtion to have the facil-
tiles for educating the young meet the
demands Of the State.
There surely must be some chance
for improvement in our present COM
mon school system, or we should not
see so much advertising in our own
(Keokuk,, and many other counties;
and not hear so many would-be teach
ers grumbling because the standard is
SO high that they cannot obtain certifi-
Gates.
The blame cannot be wholly with
the county superintendent. The great
trouble is that the standard required to
obtain certificates advances faster than
teachers can prepare themselves.
The length of schools, at the present
wages, will not permit of persons max
ing teaching profession. Some inn
provement might be made in this d.
| rection to induce those who do obtain
an education to make teaching pro-
fession. 1t is plain that we must not
depend upon those who graduate at
Iowa colleges for teachers of common
schools. They, as matter of course,
will choose a profession that, although
not more honorable, will render them
a better compensation for their labors
| We must, therefore, take some meas.
| ures to educate our teachers at home
who, in turn, shall be qualified to edu'
cate the youth of our land.
How can this be done better and
cheaper than to have at least one grad
ed school in each township that has {
certain number of district schools IL
operation? By this means those wht
are sufficiently advanced to require
particular attention can attend there
where teacher should be kept quail
. fed to render any assistance necessar!
J for the fitting of common school teach
! ers.
j, In this manner every township can
in short time, furnish its own teach
ers, and those who are capable of edu
eating, as well as being interested i
the education of the young of their owl
: township and county.
Q We think that more interest woul
!, be in our common schools, Gals
2 bridges, roads and great deal of othe
/ business) that is transacted at the cour
i. ty seat, if it were left for each tow
: ship to look after for itself.
I. The nearer we bring the manage
. ment of schools home the more attel
% ton they will receive. A townsh
% committee to examine teach ers, via
schools, &C., instead Of or in .onne
ton with the superintendent won
- secure better regulations and order.
I. All that makes Iowa what she is mo-
- is that she has been populated by
~ industrious and energetic people, |
O. though of different States and cou
u tries, yet all have worked for o
n common cause and we now reap {
ri,hrewards. But we haye arrived
to state, when the future prospects
= our Commonwealth depend large
D. upon the education of those who q
e. DON to enter upon the stage of actio
Shall they receive the education til
ke need? Or shall we linger behind o,
" er States, simply because we have I
teachers who are qualified for the pl
he fession; and we have net a suffice
s." number of colleges for them to attic
he even If they could afford it. Ii
Of mains with the citizens of each TOW
Die ship to say whether their childl
shall be educated or not, If you W,
ent them educated, build a township hou
we to educate the large scholars, who
en- turn, shall teachyour comnon schoo
era thus proving beneficial to themsel,
| and blessing to their country X