The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-09-13
TEE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Supt- Bakers Annual Report to the
Board of Education.

board OF EdOcation
Supt. Bakers annual report of the public
schools, which was submitted to the board
Of education this week, contains good
| deal that is of interest. Out Of a school
! population in the county, according to
| the recent census, of 1876, of which
| sos are white and 6, SIS are colored. there
were in the schools last year 5, $50 children
3 oS9 white and 2, TAI colored. The average
number OF pupils during the entire year
/ was 4, $40
| In the city there are white and 2 colored
| schools, and in the county. outside of the
| city, white and 20 colored schools, max
ing total Of s. schools in the county.
There are 81 white and 20 colored teachers
in the city and 10 white and 20 colored in
the country, making a total Of l01 teachers
in the entire county.
The number of white pupils enrolled in the
city schools is 2,672-l, 294 boys and 1873
girls. There are ,14l colored pupils-4S3
boys and 65S girls-making a total in the
city of 3,S13. The number of white pupils
in the country schools is 417-26S boys and
l49 girls, and of colored pupils 1,66O-S23
boys and 7s3 girls, making a total in the
country schools of 9, 023 pupils.
The per capita cost per month for tuition
on the number of pupils enrolled in the en-
tire county was 81 cents, and on the aver
cost of the entire county school system for
the year was $50, OH 20.
Abiding to the recent school census com
pared with that taken five years ago, the
superintendent says that there must be a
mistake somewhere. Five years ago the total
number Of children in the county between
8 and 10 years of age was reported TO be
ID, S0l-4,927 in the city and 8,s74 in the
county. The census taken last May and
June, If the figures are correct, shows a
falling eff of 6l5 in five wears.
This, the superintendent saws, seems
incredible when the large increase in
the population of Savannah, and the evident
ana steady Improvement of the agricultural
resources Of the county are considered.
The general enrollnent in the schools
shows an increase of $40 over last year, aud
the school rooms are crowded Ueyond their
capacity for the best school work The en-
rollment does not, however, furnish cor
rect idea of the general attendance, which
is fiuctuating. While the enrolment lass
year was 1884, the average attendance was
4,S40.
The superintendent touches upon the
school accommodations at some length
The special need for school accommodations
refers rather to location than to actual
school room. The city has, at present, no
school room south of Gordon street The
board of education has, however, purchased
a site for building on Henry street, and il
will be erected as soon as the boards
finances will warrant it. In view of the
large number of colored children
the question of providing for
their education is serious
problem. While in the city the majority
Of children attending the schools are white,
this preponderance is very nearly balanced
by the excess Of colored children in the
country districts. The principals of the
coiored schools in the city report that more
children are turned away from the schools
for lack of room than are received into
them.
Abiding to the country schools the SUI
perintendent says that they are gradually
improving. There is a great need of school
houses. Most of the country schools are
taught in churches, which, in many in
stances are devoid of comfort and of the APP
purtenances necessary to school work.
Last year was very successful year in
the schools. The aim of the teachers has
been to teach principles rather than books,
and to carry out the true idea of education
which is rather to lead out and discipline
the mind, than to cram it with mass Of
knowledge which it perhaps can never use
or digest Referring to the high school,
the superintendent says that under ITS
present conduct it offers advantages excelled
by no institution of like grade In the coun-
try.