Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1888-08-02
GERMANY'S SCHOOLS.
THE GRADES IN THE EDUCATIONAL
SYSTEM OF THE EMPIRE.

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Enforced - Vigorous Discipline Main
tanned = Politeness Toward Teachers
The Switch as an Assistant-Bad Marks
Private schools are but few in Germany
compared to their number in this country
and most parents send their children t.
the government schools. These art
divided into various kinds, according t.
the studies and to the social conditions o.
the students-gymnasia. attended by boy!
who propose pursuing classic studies; rea
schools, devoted to mathematics and eco
nomical studies rather than to classic.
(the word real l-studien" means essential
economical or polytechnical studies; higher
burger schools Citizens schools) where
than the very modest ones paid in the two
first named; lower burger schools, for sons
Of still less wealthy people; and, at last
free schools. whose students pay nothing
The girls have higher daughter schools
where the instruction and prices are high
est. though the latter are very moderate
indeed. Next in rank are the plain
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ladies as cannot pay any school money a,
all attend. like their brothers. those
ANONYMOUSLY called free schools.
SOCIAL DISTINCTIONS.
You see, there is most orthodox dis
tinction between higher daughters" and
the girls who must be satisfied with being
daughters" without the adjective. There
being but slight difference between the
extent and number of studies taught in
either kind of school, it is plain that the
distinction made is caused by social pre-
judice The students of the gymnasia are
never at peace with those of the real
schools. but admit them to be their equals.
They treat the boys of the burger schools
with contempt, and this without going
into the details of higher or lower. But
| for gymnasiast to walk with or talk to a
boy of free school, or to have anything
to do with him. except fighting. would be
considered by parents, teachers and COM
panions as unbecoming and Extensively
low conduct The girls, too, have pro-
nounced opinions as to the proper sphere
for "higher daughter" or for a .'lower"
one. or for one who is neither higher nor
lower. but SO exceedingly poor as. to be
called 'free. Free rrom pride and pre-
judice, l suppose.
A German boy enters the lowest class
Of the gymnasium, called ''Sexta," when
he is about 8 years Of age. The next class
is called ''Quinta." then "Quarta," "Ter-
tia. "Secunda" and "Prima" When he
has toiled through all Of these he tries to
pass the 7ery difficult "Abiturienten ex-
amen" He has now an exclusive and
thorough education. and may enter uni
versity. If he has successfully passed the
examination he is then allowed to become
q soldier. That is to say, he would have
to join the army anyway. but when he has
attended the gymnasium or real school up
to "Secunda.' he snters the ranks as a
volunteer. being only compelled to serve
during one year. and in Germany to be
forced to be soldier for no longer than
one year may be considered equal to volun-
teering in any other country
RIGOROUS DISCIPLINE
l have mentioned the rigorous discipline
OF German schools. This discipline can be
maintained only by the cooperation of the
parents with the teachers A well regu
lated system Of reward and punishment,
with a careful surveillance, holds the bows
under control. If parent does not agree
with some of the severe penalties inflicted
upon the boy his son is apt to be expelled |
for fear Of his undermining the discipline. |
School begins about a. m. At five min.
utes past that hour the doors are closed |
and those who are Late are not admitted,
but punished the next day The boys
await their teachers in their respective
class rooms. When the teacher enters
they all rise as one boy and nev& think
of sitting down before the teacher motions
them to do So When he leaves they 90
through the same ceremony. When a boy
is asked question he rises and remains
until he is through. No student
dare to omit lifting his cap when meeting
any teacher Of the school on the street.
The teachers of all classes up to "Tertia"
are furnished with reed or switch, which
Is cheap and ever ready assistant. A
refractory boy is ordered to stretch his
hand out. the palm upward. and before he
Knows it he has got such whack as will
peat an entire Latin grammar at once into
his head
1t is not invariably through the hand,
however. that science and literature are
made to enter boys brain. Some teach
rs consider the ears to be the best me-
lium. while others give preference to the
'oys' backs as presenting the broadest
urface. Bad marks are given as the
ightest punishment, with the silent un-
lerstanding that two of them be equal to
ne thrashing When a boy is kept in
fter schooltime his parents are at once
lotified of the fact. Not unfrequently
aren't gets notice that his son is to stay
t school. not for a certain number of
ours. but of days. Every school has a
all. called Career" From one to eight
r more days of school prison is punish
lent for graver ofenses. If incurred re-
eatedly, the boy is expelled. This pun
'hment deprives him from being admitted {
D any other public school throughout the
ountry. While in the school jail the boy
as to pay for his board He is then in
barge of the porter or "custos" of the
,hool. Philadelphia Times.
A Test of Color. 8
When | go shopping, if I've any doubt '
to whether a color is fast, l Just ask Q
'r a pattern and slip it into my mouth :
nd chaw it once in a while, and if the
olors haint run by the time I'm ready to
ave the store, I'm certain they're fast s