The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1876-08-23
The Free Schools.

Amongst the many reforms neel-
cd in our present local administra-
ton of govel nment, not one de-
mands attention more seriously
than that of the free school system.
There is no glnring defect in it us
theoretical system, but in tn.
mode of It's administration very
many abuses can be pointed out.
These have naturally crept into and
engrafted themselves upon our
common school government by dint
of the peculiar circumstances that
exist, wherein political considcra-
tions have been more consulted than
the true interests of the schools
themselves. Heretofore, under the
new order of things, us it is called,
the chief control Of the free schools
has been regarded solely in the
light OF political preferment,, and
has been dragged down into par
tisan politics. In other words the
office of school commissioners, with
a snlary fnr in excess of the services
rendered, has constituted q snug
berth for Il party favorito, and con-
scquently it's responsibility and
oncrous duties have been entirely
lost sight Of, when considered along
side Of It's cmol,,ments. There ure
certain Offices Of profit and trust
that should not be regarded as
political, and tho office of school
commissioner is pre- cminently one
of these. An officer charged with
the supervision of tho educational
interests of the entire people should
be selected solely with regard to
his fitness, and his political affilia-
tions should not be inquired into
Incompetent school commissioners
have contributed more than any
other cause towards restraining the
advancement and progress of the
free schools. And they will always
be restrained and retarded while
the Office is made in evory way
political.
Another matter of just compl int
is the admitted incompetency Of the
common school teachers. This is
an evil in itself, and must be ex.
tirpatcd before the system can be
even Approximately perfected.
Exactly where the fault lies for it's
existence can not he easily de
termlned. In order to provide
teachers for the schools the Board
Of Examiners have to make Sc
lections from such material as is
offered, and If good teachers do not
present themselves, then the in:
ferior class must be taken en ,,sces
state, or the schools will be with
out any tecthers at all. Doubtless
good reasons could be furnished
for the failure OF the better class of
instructors to take hold of the
free schools, but the naked fact
still remaihs that comparatively
incompetent ten >.hers are employed
to the detrimcnt Of thH common
school system. "nd to the possible
hindrance of the school children in
obtaining education: One remedy
has bteh suggested to us, and that
is the establishment Of Teachers
Institutes, in which those Who wish
to obtain certificates to teach iii the
free schools may be trained in the
modern style of teaching and i'm
parting knowledge. Two or three
months in the summer sBason might
be devoted to this work, and the
means NECESSARY TO sustain ths
Institutes might be provided out
of the large salary now paid to the
school Commissioners. This plan
has bceh successfully tried in other
sections, and fotind to- supply d
waht much felt: We hase not
pace in this issiie to- enter into
details, but will do 80 at some
future time. Any plan or even