The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1877-04-04

privilege, whilst at the great exposition, to eI-
anime closely the results Of this method oil school
examination. Throughout the North and West
.Centennial'' written examinations vera held in
every class of school. / was present a. several
Of these and noted the great care with which
the little pupils wrote down their answers for
each aud every paper was to be gathered up. mr.
ranged according to class and subject, be bound
in handsome volumes aud, finally be placed in the
great exposition and there be examined by repre-
seutatives from the whole world. Every paper was
signed by ia writer. stating age and school, No
corrections we're made by teachers, but every pa-
per represented precisely the pupils method Of
thought and habit OF nea.ness. Collectively.
these educational exhibits would form an im
mense and extremely interesting library OF juve-
mile literature. Here were to be seen the
examination papers oil little boys and girls Of FIVE
or six years Of age. with their ensures and cor
rections or in their unsullied neatness. there lay
the ponderops volumes exhibiting the skill Of
the students OF some institute oil technology IN
drafting and designing.
To me, the most interesting OF these educa-
tionel exhibits was that of the Hampton Normal
and Agricultural Institute presided over by Gen.
S. c. Armstrong. 10 little space III the gal
lery of the southern transept Of the Main Building
the General had arranged modest, but very Gle
ditable display OF the Hampton Institute. The
bound volumes Of examination papers were ex
ceedingly interesting, taken in connection with
the class of humanity by whom they were filled
out. The mental processes were very interest
ing to trace in the papers befure me. and
were often strikingly original. But will not.
here branch out into an eGlogy on the General,
or his school they both speak for themselves.
| would suggest to the Board that, in our
| high. aud select schools, great benefits would re-
suit from stated, written examinations. carefully
conducted. l would by no means exclude our
common school from this benefit. Wherever such
examinations can be satisfactorily conducted.
they train the pupil to habits Of precision and
neatness. and aid him to acquire that self CON-
maud that oral examinations conducted in the
presence of great audiences are apt to scatter to
the winds. Teachers Institutes are held in the
| highest esteem. throughout the United States,
and in other countries mention the United States
| in as mach as have seen the benefits there re.
sulting from the free interchange of opinion be-
tween educators. There. apparently no hard
ship is felt when national, state or country
institutes meet for the improvement OF their men,
bers These institutes are too well known to
require a detailed description by me. Hither'
to the teachers conventions. with us. have been
under the conduct of the Boards officers alone.
| would suggest that it might add to their eff
cheney If they were placed more directly under
the control OF the teachers themselves, with d
permanent organization on each island the
Board exercising only very general supervision
The Board might give uniform complexion tC
these conventions by appointing competent per
sons to deliver lectures before them on the
topics of the day, and on matters Of interest tt
teachers in their calling.
1t is of the first importance that the enthus
asm of teachers he aroused, and there exist no bet
s. a Nfn Al. oil -
convention.
Heretofore, our teachers conventions have
been confined to the teachers OF the common
schools. | see no reason why they should no
include oil our educational institutions VIII
not have q national education convention as
permanent organization with a voluntary curpor
ate body? | am sure good would result there
from As in water face alsseIe:h to face. 8
the heart oil man to man."
Respectfully submitted,
II. r. HrrcHcooK,
Inspector General of Schools