The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1886-01-08
EDUCATIONAL.
Rapid Studies and Progress of Educational
Methods Ia Our Country Compared
with Euroue.
Lessor I'm R~eading-How to Teach Figures
Current Opinions an Educationa
Topics.
IGNORANCE AND ITS REMEDY.

IGNORANCE AMI IT'S REMEDY.
In the annual examination of con,
| scripts in Belgium it was found that on.
" q per cen had never been to school,
and between GO and 20 per cent had at
tended for at least four years. About
Is per cent We're able to read and write,
and yet only % to % per cent were good
in writing and reading. In numera
ton and addition 63 to 81 per cent were
good; in multiplication 81 to AZ per cent
We're good, in division only IL to Is pei
cent. In 1888 the simplest questions
n,weights and measures were solved by
AZ per cent; Il small increase of the diff.
Guilty reduced that percentage to II pei
cent. T~hirty-one per cent did not know
what n square is. Forty-nine per cent
did not know where London was; 46 pei
cent could not name two countries i'm
Europe; 20 per cent were in absolute
ignorance of the four cardinal points.
Only II per cent knew the use of Il
plumb-line, and IA per cent that of a
thermometer. Sixty-four per cent did
not know whether Moses OF Christ lived
first; "a per cent could not name Il sim
gle celebrated Belgian: So per cent
knew no one fact in connection with the
Spanish dominion in Belgium; 60 per
cent were unable to say which side lost
ut Waterloo. In Switzerland the educa-
tional results were little better. Only so
per cent of the Swiss contingent attained
marks indicating a position considera-
bly, below mediocrity.
These statistics. Sand there are many
more like them, show clearly how mea-
gre is the education of the masses in
Europe, and the facts of our own coun-
try furnish a pleasing contrast to such n
state of affairs. When the super-critical
critics of our American school system
find fault because this system does not
do all that might be possible or desirable
in Il perfect state of society, let them
look at the old world and their methods,
and take courage from the superior re-
suits already obtained here, and instead
of pulling down this beautiful cdifice,
endcavor To adorn. beautify, and inn
prove it. that in the future it may be-
come the imposing and elegant Struct-
ure that il should be.
Yet there are too many critics who
appear to be only concerned in microsco-
III Va w III ~ tCIC1lS ~
magnify them. A writer i'm a late num-
Der of the Illustrated Christian Heck-
IN. in commenting upon the above facts
of European Ignorance, frankly states
that he does not know chow far such re-
suits are paralleled in this country" and
adds. For this shameful and danger
Gus ignorance education is not the only
remedy" Pray what but education
is n remedy for '.ignorance"p This au-
thor states that 1.-The further investiga-
ton is pushed the more inadequate
seems the undetermined rudimentary
education on which We pride ourselves
so in this country. The knowledge of
the so-called. three RS is supposed to
constitute all that is necessary for the
masses to acquire. So we think the END
all is secured by Our costly common
school system if we retain the pupils
long enough o teach them to read and
write
This boomerang returns upon the
archer. and puts no n but him in
jeopardy. 1t is the enemies of the pub
lie schools that suppose the three Rs
to constitute all that is necessary for
the masses to acquire" The time is not
very laI III tlc luluit, We litSt, NilcIi
the statesmen, lawmakers, and rulers of
this country will find out the lend of
ALL is mo secured IF we retain tho
pupils only ''long enough to teach
them to read and write"
No other nation of modern or ancient
times has made the rapid strides, in all
the essentials of civilization and enlight-
eminent, which has characterized the
progress of the American people during
the last two hundred years. And this
progress has been the most rapid and
constant where the school system has
been most fully carried out; and the
least manifest where the public school
system has had the smallest support.
The most important question before the
American people to-day is the develop.
ment of the public school system. and
the most important legislation needed in
the several states and by the nation is
the development and perfection of that
same school system.