The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-27
Give Your Opirion OF Public
Examinations.

l
submitted to those applying for GER
tifcates to teach in the public schools
during the present year. We have
not learned the opinions OF the ap-
plicants, but we have an opinion of
our own, formed upon an experience
of more than ten years, and the result
of some very close observation. That
opinion we give herein, believing that
it is the correct one, at least, feeling |
quite sure that there is more truth |
than error in it.
In the first place, what is the pur-
pose of the examination? 1t must
certainly be to test the applicants
efficiency as q teacher. But what
constitutes al ettiCieu; teacher? The
answer to this is Aot quite so easily
given. 1t is very unsafe to rate
teachers efficiency by what he ac-
complishes in any one community
for one may prove signal failure IN
this aeighborhood, while in that he
finds success with the same care SIS
in the former. One community ex-
periences great difficulty in securing
the services of teacher that will
give satisfaction. Another COM
munity will allow almost any one
bearing tie form OF man to be the
guide OF its youth. So it will be as
unsafe to judge man by his popu-
larity as by his work. Nor may we
value, without error, the teachers
efficiency upon the evidence furnished
by tile progress Of his pupils, unless
we know the capacity and the apti-
| tude Of each member Of his scAool.
But ali Of these indications should
have due weight, when, knowing the
peculiar influences attending his work,
we come to place all estimate upon
the teachers efficiency. Nor may we
even judge q teachers efficiency by
the extent, the variety, and the
thoroughness of his attainments. lie
may be the embodiment of all human
knowledge, an encyclopedia of his
t,,ry, philosophy, language, science,
and the miscellanies; and yet, lack
ing two essentials-the ability TO i'm
part instruction and the power 10
enlist the pupils interest, sympathy,
and enthusiasm il his work-he finds
himself totally unfit for his Office.
But enough Of the negative side Of
this question. We ask again, what
constitutes an efficient teacher? II
he may not be sach one, what then
must he be? We answer positively.
Ile must be man of spotless morals,
of unimpeachable integrity, of
decidedly religious convictions, Of
strong friendship, of patient sympa
thy, of kind disposition, of firm reso-
luton, of moral courage, and Of mod
est dignity. He should be a profound
Judge Of human nature, a correct ap.
praiserof mental characteristics, and
Il diligent student. His enthusiasm
for lis work, his conscientious dis
Charge of duty, and his abiding inter-
est in the successes and the failures
of every pupil should find no limit,
save in The circumspection with which
he hedges every step Of every pupil.
He should have we'll digested fund
of general information, and should
obtain clear conceptions Of the few
subjects he is to teach.
Reader. is Our ideal too high?
Did you ever read Of travellers at
tanning the summit of Mt. Blanc by
keeping his eyes fixed on the plain
below?
But what of public examinations?
Read the last series Of questions
which the State Board of Education
has given, and tell US how many of
the above points are determined
thereby.
We may not find q very hearty
concurrence in our views, but we
shall advocate them because we be-
lieve they are correct. Public exam
nations Of the nature of those sub
mitted to the public school teachers
Of South Carolina within the last
decade are public humbugs. The
State Board appoints the County
Boards of Examiners. Why then
not appoint two competent practical
teachers 10 assist the School Com
missioner and require them to make
oral examinations of searching
kind, and personal inspection in the
school room. and from these TWO
sources decide upon the efficiency of
our teachers? And pay these men
for their services. AS it is, if we
are correctly informed, tile answers
to fifty questions, ter on each Of
five subjects, alone constitute the
crucial test OF fitness or unftness for
so ore1t and responsible a work as