The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1888-02-24
Public Schools.

Public Schools.
An essay read by Mr.. Jno w. Nc
Culough at the February nesting OF
the Cecil Farmers Club held at his
place.
There ale SO many questions which are
likely to enter into the discussion Of public
schools that shall not endeayor to give q
resume of all.
The school law Of the state taken as a
whole is perhaps as good as the majority Of
Public School laws. There are, however,
two or more features thatewe think could be
eliminated from it and perhaps others adj
ded 10.
First, there is the book fee as provided
for in Chap. X, Sect. g.. which says s'No
pupil shall be required tc pay more than
one dollar quarterly for the use of text books
and stationery" IF we are going to have
free schools let us have them free. 1t is
true that in the chapter and section allnded
to above, there is proviso that parents or
pupils may purchase their own books when
they think proper 10 do so. This book tee
has been source of great deal of trouble
both to teachers and trustees, because the
teacher has found it almost impossible u
collect it in some instances and the trustees
would not exempt the parent or guardian
from the payment Of the same, consequent
ly the teacher must gain the ill will of the
patron or else lose the fee. and in some
instances both, because if the trustees fai
to exempt the pupil, the school commiss-
toner's look to the teacher 10 collect the
fund.
My remedy for this would be that tn
commissioners furnish the books for each
and every scholar, making the parent OF
guardian responsible for the return of the
book or books in as good condition as when
given out. reasonable wear excepted. If the
scholar should lose the books or wantonls
destroy them, they should be replaced By
the parent of guardian.
Secondly. The salary of the teachers
As we believe with the declaration of scrip
ture, THE laborer is worthy Of his hire y
SO we believe the school teacher shonld be
paid salary commensurate with his posi-
ton which we think one of responsibility.
On this point we have no controversy
with the law as laid down, which says
Chapt. VIII. Sect. 5. "The salary Of the
teachers of each county shall be fixed by the
Board of School Commissioners" But we
do think our county board ought to find rome
better basis for a teachers salary than the
number of scholars in the school over
which he may be placed. We maintain
that this system gives the larger schools Of
our county the advant ,ge over the smaller
ones.
] heard teacher of one of the schools in
this end of the county say that ii was i'm
possible to get such teachers as they desir-
ed for that school, and when asked the rea-
son said it was because the school was
small and therefore the salary was small.
/ do not pretend to give his exact words on
ly the pith of them.
This question of salary is very import
ant item in securing good and competent
teachers. What person is there who would
be willing to enter into life work knowing
that the s. larry would not enable him To lay
by anything for old age ard infimity? |
am sorry to saw that most of the teachers,
especially the male teachers, only teach
while they are preparing themselves tor
something else which they think will yield
them a better competency. The teachers
now being paid on the basis of the number
of scholars attending school, they must OF
recessity be in the dark as to what they
will receive for the quarter until they make
out their quart erly reports.
The law pro vides that the Board of
county school commlssi oners shall appoint
an examiner whose duty it shall be to ex-
anime candidates for the profession OF
teacher, and with the sanction Of the Board
give such persons as are found qualified, a
certificate setting forth such branches such
persons are qualified t. teach.
These certificates are divided into three
different grades.
Now If the teachers were to be paid &C
cording to the grade of certificate, then the
certificate, would carry with it certain
specified salary. Then teacher holding a
first grade certificate would receive as mucn
as any other teacher holding a similar GER
tificste. and would no, be anxious sbout the
sizs Of the school, whether there be 80 or
30 scholars. $3.50