The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1889-08-01
The Public Schools.

| the snort term, NnlcN commenced OH
5th of November last, was unable to
see all tie schools. 1t was only
a very few; however, that did not
visit. --.'
The school term this year was not
so long as the preceding one, due to
the fact that many townships ran their
schools longer in lSS7-S3 than the
amount of funds on hand warranted
During the past year ninety-ttlree
public schools nave been in operation
fifty-one white and forty-two colored-'
an increase OF four over the preceding
year. ....
! The school term varied from two to
five months. In some townships it
was larger than IN others. -. ..
The average pay Of first grade teach
ers has been about S25 per month.
In visiting the schools | find that
the school houses in too many instances
are very poor, entirely unfit for use.
The school term extends through the
winter months and on this account the
school rooms should be carefully at
! tended to. Every. building should be
! we'll heated aud made comfortable so
that the work Of the school may be
satisfactory; .': -.
Teachers and children cannot do
their duty when shivering from cold.
The township boards Of trustees hes
itate to use the school funds for build
ing and furnishing school rooms, from
the fact that it would materially
shorten the term which is too short
already. But unless the patrons in
some localities go to work and provide
more comfortable houses for teachers
and children, it would be well for
, township trustees to use part OF the
public funds for this purpose. refer
! mainly to colored schools as the ma
jorjry of white schools have passable
| buildings. Some Of the latter, how
ever, are inferior and should be i'm
proved before the winter term begins
In many schools the supply Of furni-
tureis very poor. Desks, blackboards,
charts, &c., are sadly in want.
l am glad to say, however, that con-
| siderable Improvement has been made
in this direction during the past year.
| Every township in the county, with
one exception, has placed in its schools
two large maps-one State and one
| United States map.
| / think that the money given for
these maps was well spent the work
of the future will doubtless show.
The attendance during the year has
been. very gratifying. The monthly re
ports Of teachers show that pupils are
punctual i'll attendance. Only a few
schools have made complaints about the
irregular attendance Of pupils. Parents
should see to it that their children at
tend school every day when possible.
As to the instruction given in the
schools, l think it can lie considered
fair, and would compare favorably with
that of any other county. '..' -
OF course there is great room for ln-
provements, but we must not expect too
much of those teachers who receive
only $s5 per month for four months in
tile year.
). The great majority ofo teachers are
ladies and as a rule they are competent
and enthusiastic. They are no better
qualified than the men, in some in
stances not SO well, but theyeare GER
tainly as much alive to their work
l can truly say that the teachers of
our county are deserving, and should
receive the hearty support of our peo-
pie. e."
Not only white, but colored teachers
az we'll, are conscientious and doing
we'll the work required of them.
For the benefit Of the teachers
monthly associations, begun by my
predecessor Mr.. G. &. Sale, are held
at Newberry and Prosperity alter
nately:
I have observed that those teachers
who attend these meetings regularly
are much better prepared for their
work than those who do not.
Boards of trustees should insist that
teachers attend the association.
During the year 1888 the State Board
OF Examiners passed resolution max
ing the use OF a certain list OF books III
each county compulsory. A great
many of the schools are now using the
books adopted in Newberry County.
Those schools that have not yet used
these books should remember that they
are required to do so after the first OF
November next.
\ special act was passed by the last
legislature creating two new school
districts in the eastern portion Of the
county. Over these districts the School
Commissioner has no Jurisdiction. !
hope that the experiment, and it IS
such--may prove q success. That the
people in this section are interested in
the cause of common education Is
shown from the fact that they were
willing to ne taxed three mills extra
for its support
When we rightly consider every
thing. bearing upon the common
schools, we must conclude that they
are in tolerablv fair condition. Yet
there is great room for Improvement
The school buildings should he better
the teachers should be paid larger sala-
ries il many Scho"lS ; the pay certiti-
Gates should be cashed at the end Of
II Oh l.