Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1875-04-01
THE NEW 0INIKAL SCHOOL LAW-lT0
pn0Wl3K or DOINA GOOD,

4&01AAS9 We As~A@W NVAeAes
The now law relating to the public schools for
Fhits children applies to the State generally, but
not to this city or several OF the larger towns, |
xhose schools are In charge Of incorporated
Boards Of Education. Its chief value 10 70 be
found, no doubt, in its making start 1t does
not 60 far but il steps in tho right direction. 1t
provides, In the first place, for State Board Of
Education, to consist Of the President Of Della
ware College. (now Professor Purnen, the SEQ
etAry Of State, (now Mr.. 0rubb,) and the State
Auditor. Or. Nathan Pratt At present filing that
position and such Board, il those gentlemen
take the interest and show the capacity which We
expect, will furnish central force by which the
public schools Of Delaware, heretofore scattered
hesdlcss, And disorgsnized, may be gathered,
organized, and intslligently directed. Such .
Board may bring order out Of confusion, aud ea-
tablish system instead Of chaos. 1t will create
An esprit de corps, and give our public schools
and their teachers the right to feel that they are
| worthy Of respect
Beyond the Board, and the next in value it to
10 the provision for State superintendent II
tho Governor will select sone one well acqualnt-
cd with good public schools, willing to bs pa
tient and perseyering in cur small and back
ward field, whose abilities arc adapted to begin
| ming 1t the foundation. and whose heart will
| truly engage in the work which IL here before
him, we may expect to SEQ very important re-
suits proceed, in time. frum the efforts Of =
State superintendent Especially valuable will
| he be to examine teachers, TO visit schools, to
promote uniformity Of text books, and In gen.
sral to encourage and awaken, by &C.
tual contact with them, the greater interest
in public educstion Of parents, children, and in
structors. A competent examiner, who should
know when an applicant 10 qualified to teach
and when he is not whose general requirements
and practical acquaintance with education woult
enable him to discriminate between the fit ani
the unfit teacher; has been long most grievous
ly needed, and wo are now to have such an officer
When the standard OF qualifications requisit.
for teaching is established aud adhered to, VI
shall have better schools, better education, AM
= corresponding increase in the interest tAksl
by the people in the whole syAtem.
The newlaw does not compel the laying Of I
tax by the Commissioners Of each school dis
trict This will be done, ultimately. A the lay
will now stand, the people, il they are unwilling
to be taxed enough for good school, may cleo
Commissioners opposed to tax, aud mono bein,
lowed, the State appropriation will not be secur
eli, and no schools will bo established. In SOM
districts, possibly in good many, such blint
and foolish course will be taken, and there ap
pears to be no remedy. In time, rs We hay,
already remarked, one must be provided.
most absurd blsmish on the new law is til,
| If rum f,r taoo l,o a
Gates. It is a tax which disgraces the schco
system. Teachers are too poorly paid to hav
such charge laid upon them. Their fitness h
teach precedcs the extortion; il thoy are compe
tent and worthy they are taxed; il they are ig
norAnt and unfit, they pay nothing. What ab
surdity The other States will laugh At US, o
course. Fortunately, the noxt Legislature cal
| rennal the odinns nroxiaion