The New York herald., 1877-08-30
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.


NExT-IMPRovED FIRE ESCAPES AND HEAT
mo AND vENTILATING. APPARArus-A RE-
vfsED COURSE or STUDIES ESTABLISHED.
The public schools Of the city, which closed on
the Sd OF July. will DO reopened next Monday. Dur
ing tho Two months that have passed both teachers
aud pupils have had ample opportunities Tor and
recreation, aud doubt they will now return earnest
and refreshed to their Class rooms Al the beginning
OF last years session there large increase in tho
number OF children who sought sdmttance into the
schools, and II IL confidently anticipated that on the
coming occasion an equally satisfactory condition OF
things viii have to be recorded The average attend.
all the schools under the control OF the Board
OF Education In July 1875 600; ana the number Of
teachers 3,2i7, OF whom 335 malea In
ton with this matter n proper 10 state that
the attendance al corporate and parochial
schools has increased a. very rapid rate;
at the present time is estimated that at least 3s 00O
pupils enrolled the Catholic schools. Ten years
ago the number only $4,000, u TACT which Is
counted for TO some extent by many parents, finding
that the public schools unable govern their vii
iul and unruy children, send them TO places wnere
the discipline ID strict and penalties for neglect aud
disobodicnce enforced.
II will be remembered that the Board OF Education
Eome months revised the OF studies pur-
sued IN the schools with the Of reducing the sub
Jects embraced IN IT, 10 enable pupils TO devote
their time with greater energy TO acquiring knowledge
OF English elementary branches This has proved q
reform in the right direction The changes effected
and which have resulted satisfactorily not Al all
lesson the work Of teachers, but they now will
the satisfaction Of sending out pupils perfect and thor
ough IN elementary knowledge and lifted 10 pass Into
the active pursuits OF hie.
EQuALizxa TEACHERS SALARIES
The number Of applications for positions In the de-
partment remains undminishcd. The average rate OF
compensation IS larger here tnan n any other CITY,
Dut our primary school teachers have lower .ate of
pay thaa grammar school teachers and the Board has
had In consideration for some time plan Tor uni
iormity IN salaries, which has been delayed In conse
quence OF financial complications. A majority Of
pupils receive all the education they have IN the
primary aud never enter the grammar schools. This
maJorty, Is clear. deserves the nrst consideration
Instruction and discipline arc no moro difficult IN
than IN the otner, ana in neither department. the
Board OF Education claims, Is the range OF Knowledge
required 10 be mustered extensive. Experience aud
natural adaptation are tho qualites to determne COM
paratve compensation between the two branches OF
the common schools This question OF salaries agitates
the Department. and majority OF the Board seem
lean toward the primary teachers side 0i the matter
Tho Board held no meeting during this month. When
" reassembes again the subject Will come up.
principle that The right OF taxation ior the support OF
free schools carries with II tho right TO make educa-
ton compulsory MS a protection to tho state II is
three years since tho law was passed. AT 1rst II
supposed II would meet with serious opposition, but
experience has shown that It's enforcement Is entirely
practicable and It's benefit so great that has only to
be rightly understood establish Itself In popular
favor II Is designed during the ia and winter TO
make thorough examination into the situation Of all
children employed IN stores, factories and other os-
tablishments coming within tho law 1t seems there
is large who Ignoring tho claims OF their OF.
spring TO the beneus OF education, forco thom to
work year alter year from morning to night
NEW SCHOOL EDIPicEs.
During vacation all the school buildings in the CITY
have been examined ana whore repairs and alterations
appeared necessary they have been introduced Under
the direction OF Mr.. D. Stagg, architect OF the do
partment tire attached to several edihces
in the form OF iron stairways with ralings whcn
afford a ready expeditions and sao means oil reaching
the from the upper stories. Fireprool floors Ut
brick stone iron and slate wero added IN several In
stances, and particular attention has given
largng Interior staircaseS Nentilatlng and n0attng
In far better condition Than In former
years. In respect to the latter steam Is every whero
substituted tor stoves, when opportunity oilers, as
Iendng more TO the comfort aud health oi pupils and
teachers, and also lesscnng TO considerable degree
tue chances OF conlagrations. There Is AZ present
In course OF erection Grammar School No. 10,
East Seventy-nth street, near Third avonue.
Tho Is 100 by l02 feet The building will be four
stories In height above the cellar; estimated Cost
$4,000. II VIII be ready ior occupancy carly next
year. Another now primary school Is gong up
Fifty street. near Tenth avenue Tho lot 100
square, and tho structure arranged have
free circulation OF light and uir all sides. II
dtou for the reception Oi children in u few weeks
Four schools in course OF enlargement were not
ped at the time Of vacation in july aud will DO
opened ne ext Monday Whom these edihcos out OF
the worKmen's hands hero will DO accomm0 0dation Tor
over thousand pupils, who Will Tor tho present
have to attend elsewhere Over quarter oil million
dollars has been appropriated for building purposes
during the year. not including An outlay OF $5OOO0 Tor
heating apparatus anu new system Ut ventila
tion connection with them. The latter, partly in-
troduced, Is on trial as an experiment