The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1877-06-30
Educational.
Honolulu, June &c. 1877.

To the Editor Of the Pacific Commercial AdUertiSer
Your last issue contained a very pleasant
report of the Fort st. School Examinations on
the 18th instant. Our unknown friend seems
to have been greatly pleased with every exer-
else OF the occasion but we who are more
familiar with the capabilities and requirements
of our pupils. welE-know that in those exercises
there was manifested a great deficiency that
arose from the want felt during the term of enc
of the most important essentials of a schools
vitality. L allude to an imperfect cooperation
of the patrons and the public generally. The
Government Schools, as they are named in this
Kingdom. ought to be the pride and boast of
every official and citizen. They ought to be
established upon such a basis of discipline and
efficiency, that their pupils will be thoroughly
qualified for any position within the social or po-
litical possibilities of the realm. There is not
such a surprising amount Of incougruity in the
traditions that are offered as solutions of the
problem of this Hawaiian beauty-spot upon
the bosom OF the mighty deep but there is an
incomprehensible mystery in the Indifference
with which the p~ublic-whether noble or plebian
regards our common schools. The common
schools are the bulwarks of a nation, whether
its government be mOnarchical or republican.
In them there is always TO be found an element
that represents a mighty force in times of
national disorder. When the currents and coun-
ter-currents of political opinion are dashed into
fury by the discords of party leaders, the waves
bear hither and tbither a motive power unsus-
pected before, which comes from the humble
ranks of a nations citizenship. If this has been
well-disciplined and brought to a. state of moral
integrity in the years of its formative develop
ment, all will go well. But wo to the nation
whose people become an uncomfortable mob
in days OF diversitieS Of opinion How impor-
tant then that our schools in their daily move
ments should be objects of interest to those who
long for the peace and prosperity of the Com
monwealthi Nothing better sustains the honest
teacher than a feeling of sympathy with those
who support the school system. And a thought
full appreciation of the teachers labor is always
shown by the visits of those who direct or pa
tronize the school. There are obstacles to be
met, difficulties to overcome, wise counsels needed,
that can never be obtained except through per-
sonal acquaintance with the conditions of their
existence. l know there are teachers who object
to unexpected visits or to visits except at re-
gular and known periods. Such objections once
offered should be good and just cause for I'M
mediate removal from incumbency. The people
have a perfect right to free access to any and
every school at any moment of the term. And
it is their bounden duty TO exercise this right
to the extreme limit of its possibilities. Shall
children be taken from the care and guidance
OF their natural protectors and moulded by those
whose acts will not bear the Inspection of daily
visitors whose greatest interests are there repre-
scented q?
On the 18th instant, the Fort St. pupils gave
no discredit TO their teachers, but we know Of
several instances where natural diHdence was
so excited by the presence of strangers that total
failure in recitation was the result. Ii we had
received weekly visits from the members OF that
audience, our scholars would have felt an
enthusiastic pride in showing their progress
and Improvement. 1t requires but a small eX-
| penditure of time. Half an hour in a week, or
even a visit of fifteen minutes, made at frequent
intervals would excite - Influence in a school
that none would ir2sic" who had not realized
it. Such q course of visitation would better
prepare visitors al the closing examination to
Judge how much of the exhibition was q drilled
automatic exercise and how much was real men
tai development and Intellectual strength that
indicated preparation for the efficient discharge
of future duty. Will the present appeal be
unheeded? Let us have an awakening on this
subject. and when the Roll-books arc opened
next August. let every individual feel that n
past negligence must be blotted out from all
remembrance by future zeal in the subject Of
school administrations An Indifferent public
generates an inefficient performance Of duty.
There may not be gross derelictiJns, but there
will not be the highest standard Of proficiency
that would obtain und"r the ever open eve OF
an interested patronage. In our future sessions
let Us be made familiar with the faces Of those
whose means and energies Gr5 SC freely giv-n
to uphold this noble element OF car national
welfare, and let them Not place the mental train
Ing of the Kingdom outside and beyond all the
other interests with which they are connected.
Give as your coUnteuance and support during
term ilaorG. and we will give you exhibition
Cf solid excellence st Tie closing organizations
that will make your hearts tl.i.l with % proud
trust IN the future U-rmiueuc' ami national
integrity %, the HawaiI-u people.
N-EItN NsE-TEE.
Nu>rrvfr. ItNF 18th. 1877.