The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1885-03-18
TEACHERS EXAMINATIONS AND
THEIR SALARIES.

nnQ IauIC Cnan TO rcctlty. we arc also
aware that there arc certain subjects
upon which the press Of the State arc
ever ready to pounce. and write volumi-
nous articles, which in their last
analyses, mean that the authors Of them
have run out Of everything else to
write about. Knowing these facts, and
also that the Public School system, and
Trial Justices, are chief among the
subjects referred to, we dare venture a
few observations OH the present man
agcment Of our public schools.
Our first objection is to the present
plan Of examining teachers to ascertain
their grade.
We submit in the first place, that it
is not a fair test of the capacity of a
teacher. With the exception of some
Of the principles of grammar and arith-
mctic, the other questions are merely
those of memory, which arc rs likely to
escape the minds Of the most cQmpc-
capacitated to fill the high and honor
able calling Of the teacher. a number
Of the questions, too, arc catch-qucs-
tons, and no one will surely contend
that they afford a just means of testing
the capacity of a teacher. We unhesi-
tatinsly admit, that under the existing
state ct affairs, some examination is an
absolute necessity, but we contend also
that the system Of examination as it
now is, tends to do away with the very
object it Minis at, viz. competency in
those who are to teach our rising gen.
erations. How do we .substantiatc this
bold assertion =? The only requirement
for the obtaining a first grade certificate
IS a sufficient knowledge of the follow
ing branches, viz. Geography, Arith-
mctic, Grammar and History. leaving
u of consideration the moral charac-
ter of the teacher, which is presumed.
The sixteen year old school boy. then,
with knowledge on no other subjects,
ranks with the ripest scholar and the
highest graduate of our best colleges, so
far as the Public School is concerned.
Where then is the incentive for one who
expects to devote his life to the Public
Schools, to attain more than a knowl-
edge of the branches required? The
diplomas of the colleges, chartered By
the State, are. not recognized. and out
side of personal ambition, there is moth
ing to induce our teachers to attend
these colleges, inasmuch as they know,
with little or no expense to themselves.
they can become sufficiently well ac-
quainted with the studies required by
law, to pass the required examination,
without mourning the inconvenience
of attending college. If proficiency or
scholarly attainment then, is what the
examination aims al, does it not in it.
self do away with its very object?
If the diplomas Of our colleges were
recognised would mot thai Of itselfsbe
an incentive I cSaisss who sexpectsd o.
Sas~kRa t4aching5 their profassioa, 70 1T
stsAdsthsse colleges. to obtain them. and
at the same time add to their usefulness
as teachers, by increasing their ability
Arc not the Presidents and faculties
of 0ur colleges to be trusted ? Would
they give diplomas to those unworthy
Of them? Such objections we are sure
no one will dare raise who has any
knowledge whatever of the character
OF the mon who fill these positions.
That Tho coloc;o, ol,o -
are too small, we arc firmly convinced.
When we remember that even in this
day of free education. that collegiate in
struction, such as every one should have
who intends to make teaching his pro-
fHssion, costs both time and money, can
we wonder that VIC have so few teach
ers in our Public Schools distinguished
for their professional ability 1t is a
matter Of dollars and cents with them.
and they naturally seek other spheres
where their merit is moro appreciated
financially, if not more needed. A poor,
incompetent teacher is dear ut any price,
and economy in this direction is gencr-
ally fatal, being absolutely injurious to
pupils, and positively sinful in those re-
sponsible for it. "Poor pay, poor
preach has grown into an axiom, and if
we offer our best teachers no more per
month. than can be made by n common
day laborer who has served no apprcn-
ticeship, and undergone no training,
have We the right to look for any better
results from our public schools {?
We do not mean to c~riticisc specially
any action Of our present School Com
missioner and his Board Of Examiners.
for as Mr.. Hodges states in a card found
elsewhere in the MESSENGER, they found
IN present practices and grade Of sala-
ries in vogue when they came into Office,
and owing to the fact thatover n third