The Hawaiian gazette., 1888-07-17
rae EDUCATIONAL STANpARD.

AAS -NSn AO1SLlNulkOA. Wisely VI OLAlGE-
wise, conferred upon large number Of
1 illiterate men the right Of suffrage, It
is not necessary now to discuss the pro
+ priety Of such action. 1t is done, snd it
cannot be undone, whether We wish It
or not.
History has taught that any large
class Of illiterate citizens in free coun-
Try is dangerous to popular institutions.
1t is, then, incumbent upon the present
Government to do all that they can to
promote the cause OF popular education.
/ Uneducated voters viii constantly be
passing of the stage, and their places
viii be taken by the rising generation.
It is matter Of self-deiense to make all
/ proper efforts to see that this constant
increment to the voting population is
made up Of properly educated young
men. The Constitution sets an educa-
tional limit, below which none can enter
upon the duties and privileges connected
with the right Of suffrage; but it is in
cumbeut upon those who have charge Of
public education to see that the mass OF
those now growing up shall have some
further training and make some further
attachments than those required by the
Constitution. The Constitution fixes
the minimum limit, it should be re-
nenbered
Il is fortunate for the future Of the
country that the Board OF Education
seem to appreciate their responsibility
4 wide-zwake man hiss been put into
the office Of Inspector-Gener2l OF Schools,
and be, ably and earnestly seconded by
the Beard, has succeeded in instilling q
great deal Of new life into the various
schools Not school in any district,
however remote from 3 center Of popula-
ton and civilization, but has felt the in
| fuence Of the initiation Of the new order
Of things Teachers who were content
to plod along in the old-fashioned way,
are 10 longer content TO pIod along 50.
The examination Of teachers, necessarily
accompanied with normal classes and
Normal Institutes, has contributed
largely to these good results. The IL
fuence OF this innovation (for It was
more than s mere revival OF the old sys-
ten Of examinations and teachers
classes] is felt in all public and msny
private schools throughout the Islands.
Nothing was 50 much needed in our
whole educational system as the training
Of teachers. The need for special prepara-
ton, beyond mere scholarly sttsinmeuts.
has come to Be recognized by all educa-
tionzl thinkers. Ali countries with ad-
vznced educational systems have come
to require OF their teachers : special
technical training. With the require
ment Of such training comes the Heces-
sity Of sn opportunity to receive such
training
But pedagogy is too great science
and too great sn art to be learned IN
week or to De picked up at odd times.
The Institutes, lasting 3 week, and the
classes, meeting once . week, are alto
gether good. but they are not enough.
Either teachers must be introduced
frum abroad, Or they must be trained up
here. Those brought here from Americs
are expensive and not 50 permanent as
desirable. Would It not be well for the
Board Of Education To make some
further efforts to produce home supply
Of teachers on which to depend? OF
course It Is not practicable to establish
regularly equipped normal school. That
would cost too much. But It is entirely
practicable to add = normal department
10 Fort-street School. That school Is
nov full; but another building Of Que or
two rooms could be erected on the same
grounds; another teacher could be en-
pIoyed 70 take the classes now taught By
the Principal, leaving the Principal to
take the new class to be trained in the
science and sr.o teaching The normal
class would not interfere with or iniure
Fort-street School at all. It would
simply Be an additional course open 70
those having completed the present
course. Candidates from ether schools
could be admitted upon an examination
similar 70 that required At the close Of
the present course At Fort-strset School.
This scheme does not involve the ex-
pendifure Of any great sGn Of money.
Il seems 4 practicable and a natural e
auencs Of the work recently done BY the
Inspector-Generzl OF Schools II the way
Ct eIeTatiHg the standard Of requirements
fox teachers N the public schools