The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-07-12
OUR COUNTRY SCHOOLS.
views OF THE NATIONAL EDUCA-
TIONAL ASSOCIATION.
An Interesting Discussion on n Dimcuit Prob
Iem-SuffraEe and Education-Tbe Eduea-
fionRI SNstems Of BrnzlI and sMeden.


An Interesting Discussion on Dimcuit Prob
Iem-suffraee and Educstion-Tbe Rduea-
tionaI systems Of Brazil and Sweden.
BALTIMORE, July lin the National
Educational Association, to-day. Prof. Olney Of
the University Of Michigan read paper entitled
"Tho Country school Problem" The paper
treated OF the defects In the country school sys-
TEN, growing In great measure out Of the mea-
ere salaries paid to teachers, which preoludes
competent men and women from taking hold
Of positions which win give them promise only
to end their lives In an almshouse. The matter
Is looked upon very serious, az II can only re-
sult in half educated men and women for want
Of competent instructors. To reach to the
point OF the desired education, which can only
be reached by the employment OF trained teach
ers, appears TO DO In tho far future. There are,
however, steps being taken in some OF the States
to attain this end. Another point discussed by
the paperis the uuiHcaton OF the schools Of every
grade, from the lowest collegiate course. IL
also proposes that the certificate Of school
should be a passport 70 the next higher grade
OF school To the rural schools there might be
some difficulty in the outset, but placed In q
proper relation to the other schools, they will
system. This desirable work can be promoted
by the State Boards OF Education taking an In
terest 10 the subject and using their best ener-
giles for Its accom- plishment.
THE COUNTRY SCHOOLS.
Mr.. Hseer OF Massachusetts, said the only
problem OF the country schools 10 their exist
the psesr pn there I've we're ons pr two from
which he should dissent. For instance, he
would, not agree that the right OF SURFACE
That would be unequal, for In some States the
examination might SO result that the better edu-
Gated, because OF a rigid examination, would be
excluded, while the less educated In other States
would be admitted to the right OF suffrage
through the want OF proper examination. with
rpgafd TO the OF teachers. III the salaries
should be continued at the present rate or a
teachers on half pay after proper service in the
schools. The adoption Of the town system he
thought would do much TO bring the rural
school up to the proper standard.
DR.. Edwards OF Illinois said 1t was dificult TO
Get people to change asystem ofeducation. Tho
will nanage their own schools. He believed
that fundamental difficulties would present
themselves which would make the work most
dinicult one. There must be no central authori-
". Tor politicians would interpoeo distractions
which could not ne surmounted Inc wisest
hundred men In the nation could not organize
system which would not meet with opposition.
lie did not see why the higher and lower grades
OF schools could not be brought together.
MIR. Crosby Of Iowa said he did not believe tha
politicians would stand In the way Of the schools
when properly informed. lie had considerable
experience with the legislation Of bis State and
saw no difficulty with regard TO the rural schools
IN their places, and not changed from time to
Mr. Shannon OF Missouri favored the town
|
for years until 1874, wnen the district system
was opted.
superannuated teachers should he retired on
half pay full pay. II was degrading TO the
4 teacher to make him dependent upon the state.
BRAzIL's SCHOOL SYSTEM.
DR.. Da Motta, Commissioner OF Education Of
| Brazil. spoke OF the educational system of his
country. Tbey had no divisions OF township OF
the control Of the provinces. The Government
| looks upon the teachers as the most useful men
In the country; and their future Is sasran,.ed
| educational qualifications. Their primary edu-
| cation Is free and compulsory 10 the cities, but
In the country thai could not be effected. In
the cities the proportion OF illiterate children lie
every day decreasing. All rich people have pri-
vate teachers for their children, besides
which there many SCHOOLS supported
| by benevolent institutions. For the higher
| schools the teacbe- are examined In
the language u the country, In French,
| Greek. Latin. rhetoric. philosophy and mathe
schools where the examination Is not required,
foI medioine a study OF six years Is required
! fesston OF the law, besides practice OF one
year. The course Of study includes the natural,
civil, and eomme rcial. and the law Of processes.
| The Catholic religion IL the faith Of the state,
and people sre required TO study the cAiechism,
but AS tho Government T. liberal in that respect,
those VINO are not OF that faith excused
from that study. They have also mechanical
| commercial and military institutes aud naval
| schools. brnzh 10 following In the steps OF older
nations. and her best efforts used 10 continu-
ally improve upon the best methods Of AmeTi-
| Can schools.
EDUCATION IN SWEDEN.
| Mr.. Meyerbsrr. Superinte nd snt Of schools in
| Stockholm, sweden. spoke Of the educational
| system Of his county, aud Of tue Introduction
| Of Professionalism lntO sweden in the hft cent
century. Before that time the sons OF the free
peasants were taught the old songs, and the
pc ole we're free and Independent. When 6 US
| taSus Nasa became King ne ordered the monk .
| 70 60 among the people and instruct them.
| Now instruction Il compulsory for all CHI ldren
| over nine Years OF aRe. Tho teachers are
All independent class OF men, and they will rule.
| for their place Is life tenure, and . good man
| will not take place unless he II sure that he
will keep H. Religious instruction In the scho OILS
| 10 compulsory, except that Catholic or Jewish
| children are exempted from such compulsion.
| THE FRENCH MUNICIPAL BILL.