The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1873-12-04
Cor, j. NJ. FLEMING,
Cun5t D1bIfo

\
DEAR SIR I'm compliance with your
letter of instructions, dated Sept. 26th.
1873, submit the following report of
the scholastic condition of Giles Coun-
ty, in addition to the accompanying sta
tistical report:
The passage of the Public School law
at the last session of the Legislature
found Giles county under q private
school system. These private schools
were generally taught by teachers of
ability and experience. They were,
however, wanting in uniformity of
method, and in permanency Of organi-
zatiOn. Their patronage was flnctua-
ting, and their. methods of instruction
and discipline variable, and changing
with every change of teachers. This
produced much confusion and unneces-
sary expense, and seriously injured the
advancement of pupils. The average
cost per scholar, as nearly as l can as
certain it, was about 81: 30 to SO per
month, in the ordinary English branch
es. In many portions of the county the
cost per scholar in the same branches
was from 81 to 50. AS may be gathered
from the accompanying statistics here
with forwarded, the average cost per
scholar under the public system, in the
same branches, is $l.1S per month.
can give you no accurate infOrma-
ton of the number of schools or schol-
ars under the private system. l can
safely state, however, that the number
of both was considerably less than I'M
der the present public system.
The Directors of the several Districts
have held their meetings for consulta-
ton on the educational interests of the
county, and for the purpose of attain
ing uniformity in their operations. In
the Inauguration of a new system, il
was to be feared that much temporary
confusion and injury would result from
a collision between public and private
schools. Yet so completely has this an
ticipated danger been aYerted by the
judiciOus management of the Directors
that the public system was substituted
for the private system almost without a
jar. There are now, so far as / can
learn, only two private schools in Giles
county, which have not consolidated
with the public schools. This prudent
arrangement has supplied Il school
houses free of rent.
The teachers have organized Teach
ers's Institute, known as the s'Giles
Teachers Association :" which though
not yet a month old, has held two meet
ings and enrolled SO regular members.
The teachers manifest much interest in
this Association, which is destined to
be productive of much Improvements
and pleasure TO its members, and OF
great benefit to the educational interests
of the county. Its good effects are be-
ginning 70 be already visible in their
school rooms. 1t cannot be doubted
that the cordial interchange of ideas
among its members and a careful COM
parison of their various methods of
teaching must lead to improved systems
and to such degree of uni fOrmitv that
a change of teachers will not hereafter
involve a change of system with its at
tendant confusion, annoyance and ex-
pense.
The attendance upon the schools for
the past month has been comparatively
small, owing to the fact. that the child
rem are required TO gather the cotton
crops at this season of the year In
consequence Of this, many schools have
suspended until the close of the cotton
picking season. The experience of the
present year seems to indicate that the
period from about Sept. 18th to Nov.
10th should be avoided in the school
terms of cotton districts. The present
school fund of the county viii sustain
schools, an average of about months.
There has been lack of colored
teachers, which we have been unable 70
supply, In several districts, no eolored
schools have been organized. The Di-
rectors have endeavored 10 obtain teach
ers but could not procure them.
The public schools, think, have been
efficient, and have given general salts
faction. In my opinion, hey are grow
ing steadily in favor, as their economy,
uniformity OF system and improved
methods are gradually developed and
recognized.
cannot close this report without tes-
flying 70 the efficiency, energy and
prudence of the District Directors,
whose unremunerated labor and disin-
terested zeal deserve, At least, to be ap-
preciated and honOrably mentioned.
Very Respectfully,
W. L. GARRETT,
Co. Snp't. Giles CO., Tenn.