The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1878-05-31


The Public Schools.
An Important Circular from the State Snperin-
tendent of Public Education.
The following circular has been sent to the
School Commissioners Of the several counties
The first regular meeting of the State Board
of Examiners was held May LIST and 3D.. The
following rsso'a3onSars taken from the minutes
Resolved, That In those localities in which the
number of children desiring 70 attend school IS
less than the minimum number prescribed oy
the various boards of trustees for the establish
.ment Of schools teachers should If possible be
procured, the compensation in such cases TO be
less than that usually allowed to the grade OF
certificate held by the teacher.
Resoiced That the various school officers OF
this State be urged to secure the services OF the
most competent teachers TO instruct the colored
children, and that this board heartily commends
the white teachers who have heretofore engaged
In their instruction.
Rcsofced That this board has received with
qualification the encouraging reports Of the
progress in education made by the colored chill
dren in certain portions of the State, especially
In Charleston.
Tho following rules, for the examination of
applicants for the position of teacher, in the
public schools were adopted under the authority
given to the State Board Of Examiners in sub
divisions 2 and 8 of section s Of can net to al
ter and amend the school law Of South Carolina
ss%SfnasrMs Sss 81 IN S1iine e1anbation; in
reading, and must be conducted on Questions
to be pref ared for each Of the three grades.
2. The number 10 to be the maximum mark
and no applicant whose average At an e1amina-
tion is less than on oil branches TO receive o
certificate.
3. That at oil examinations before County
Boards, at least two iuembers of the board must
bs present
4. That applicants before county boards shall
be examined in orthGyrsphy, reading, writing,
arithmetic, geography, English grammar, history
Of the United States and Of this State.
8. That applicants for teachers State csrtif-
cate must appear before the State Board of Ex-
sminers at the regular meetings, which will be
held in Columbia during the first week in May
and the first week in September Of each year
and that in addition to the branches Of study
mentioned in the foregoing rules, said applicants
must be examined in algebra, natural philoso-
phy and physiology.
In accordance with the provisions of Rule l.
School Commissioners will be furnished with
questions, before each examination, on applioo-
tion to this office. These questions will be sent
in sealed envelopes, which should be opened on
the day of examination in the presence of the
County Board Of Examiners. Each applicant
should be required to state in writing, at the
close of the examination, that no assistance has
precautions should be observed to prevent ap-
Plicants from obtaining copies Of the questions
before the examination, and also from receiving
assistance after the examination begins.
The great want in our public schools is for
better teachers. Until training schools for
teachers can be established, the State Board and
the county boards must be relied on to secure
competent instruction, and for this reason great
care should be exercised in the eIamnations.-
would especially urge that no person he gran
ted a certificate who, in addition to other re-
quirements, has not the high moral qualifica-
tions which should be possessed by every one
who 10 entrusted with the important work Of
teaching the youth Of our State.
The schsol law gives to the State Board Il
Examiners authority to select . uniform series
OF text books to be used in the public schools |
The books will be selected at the next meeting
Of the board, which will be held during the first
week in September, and it is hoped that by the
beginning of the next school year there will be
in use in all counties Of the State books well
adapted to the assistance of teachers aud tue in
struction Of pupils. HUGH s. THoMrsoS,
State Superintendent Education.