The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1882-03-01
The Common Schools-A Normal
School for Females.

1t was a pertinent remark made by
one of the distinguished witnesses be
fore the Legislative Committee on the
A. and NJ. College, in connection with
the subject of continuing preparatory
department in that institution, it
would be better to perfect the common
school system, that students might be
prepared to enter college proper"
This idea, so timely expressed, has
occurred to many others, and its force
will doubtless be generally conceded.
We need all the higher schools now es
tablished, and that they should be
rendered even ,aore efficient, but unless
the eommon-schuol system is perfected,
there is danger of our entire educational
work becoming top-heavy. The foRR-
dation must be improved, else the
structure will not be worth even the
present moderate expenditure.
It is gratifying to know that this great
interest is receiving due consideration
by the appropriate committees in Sem
ate and House. A bill has already
passed the Senate Increasing the com
mon-sehool fund one-third, which will
guarantee six months term, and also|
some increase in the pay of teach
ers. The present basis however, for the
pay of teachers, though plausible on its
face, works very unequally and inequit-
ably in many counties. Where the
compensation is per capita-from FIVE to
eight cents per day for each scholar
some very incompetent teachers get
large pay because of their ability to
place on their register every edaoable
child in the neighborhood; while others. /
thoroughly competent, and who try to |
do honest and faithful work, get but a
mere triae when they call for their pay
certificate. The provisions of the Code
sections 716 70 723-should be 50
modified so as to correct Tic present UNI
fair distribution of the school Iapd.
The observation of every member OF the
Legislature who may have witnessed, at
their county sites, the payment Of
will, we think, bear US out IN
he nropriety of this suggestion. As q
,rom;neat member Of the Senate re
marked to. is yesterday, Sit is diff
ult nroblem. but it is one neverthe-
sss that the U4ssent Legislature
bopla enaeayor to solve Let the
aaxium pay Of teachers Of each gFade
. fixed, and let the Boards OF super
.isors, on the advice Of County Super /
ntendents, be governed ii their allow
noes By the capacity Of teachers, and !
he efficiency of the schools, rather than {
y large numbers Of half taught pupils. e
Tbs question of supervision should also
,mmand special attention. The schools ?
annot well succeed unless occasionally : :
isited 81 the County Superintendent, .
nd his compensation should depend Z
pom bis efficiency S
In this connection We are pleased to +
ote that although the Female College e
uestion has been set aside for tine, & s.
bill & being matured for the estab =
shment Of 5 State Normal School for = i
smales. This Is the PLAN ae believe, Il
earnestly recosanaended b the State e
sachers Convention Ne trnst that s.
least this mueh viii Be done Our q
,or, but deserving aud ambitions ).
Jung women should nss b dependent 8
,oa tie fsn Scholarships allotted 70 g
i stats fron, tie Peabody fund. s.
lows 7seffs I'kslf q E.IIoH tie cxf,aple s.