St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1889-06-01

bringing ABOUT lne EeuOucl1DS, 4oI IL was
generally known that most of the law pro-
visions had received is approval.
The duties Of the parish superntend-
ents are defined and sufficient authority is
given to enable them to properly exercise
| needful supervisory control in matters re-
lating to the public schools.
| FIrst-In the matter of the employment
of teachers-their exsminatio aud their
discharge-their authority is ample.
| Second-With reference to visiting the
| schools duty is imposed Of considerable
importance, which must no. be neglected
Third-The superintendents have GER
tain duties to perform respecting the
enumeration of youths, and report is due
by each.
Fourih-They are intrusted with the
organization of parish institutes and are
charged with their manag ment.
Fifth-Lastly, they are the trustees of
| the State-a considerable amount is ex-
pended in the payment of services rendered
| under their supervision. They should
| exert their best endeavors in obtaining fair
services for the amount expended.
| Firs:-Teachers competent and worthy
| should be employed,
| While the wishes of patrons should, to
an extent. be respected, they should not
| absolutely govern, Dor should heir intiu-
ence prevail if the superintendent knows
the teacher to be incompetent. If compe-
tent teachers and the good will of parents
can be obtained from the first, it will
doubtless prove advantageous, but it the
| i'll will of the latter must be incurred 1t IS
doubtless preferable to meet it at first;
the opposition will soon cease, for parents
II = hop
aware that their children are improving
under the tuition Of an active and compe
tent teacher.
S-c,nd-The duty imposed on parish
| SUPP rintendents t, visit the schools in
their several parishes is important.
Thes, visits are generally appreciated
| by the teach r and the pupils Generally
| the school system proves more useful md
| improving in lhoss communities in which
the greatest personal attention Is given to
| the schools The isolated. barnlike school,
house in which the children assemble TO
| be taught, and to which not the least at
tention is given, is not attractive to any
one. A little interest in this direction will
improve The teacher, the pupils and the
c3mmuuity.
In England special provision is made in
| are appointed to attend to this duty. The
! ate Matthew Arnold was one of the Off
Gals to whom this duty was intrused,
Although one. of 'Erglands immortals,"
he found time to visit the pubic schools.
He referred to himself as having been for
thirty wears the visitor of the public
schools. He was, as you know, an author
of great merit He won great fame
Nevertheless, he was pleased to have held
an etfice, humble if you will, which en-
abled him to perform a service in the ad-
vaucement of truth and in the interest of
humanity
Third-With reference to thu enumera-
ton of youths in the several parishes, it is
| n ade the duty Of the parish superinten-
dents to cause to be placed in the hands of
the State superintendent a report showing
the number of cLildrsn between the ages
| of 6 and 1Sltars residing in the parish,
and The number 10 each district. 1t is a
considerable possibility resting upon I'll G
superntendents 1t is important that the
law be complied with in this respect.
correct report is of the highest Importance.
| If it be CORRECTLY made it insures q fair ap
| porticnme Mt of The common school fuRds.
! In the marshes it cradles the different
| boards59B assign schools in proportion to
tie HHmher of pupils III each school dis
trict.
The supe rintendept, if the assessor is at
| all negligent or Indifferent, should ut Least
place this officer in default by calling
| upon him to make correct enun Grafton
and report That officer is not uuder the
control or direction of the educational de-
partment, but if especially called upon
| surely no assessor will be so unmindfdl of
! his trust as to decline or neglect to make a
proper enumeration of the youths of the
| State. He would prove himself poor
public servant If he were to fail in per-
forming this highly useful and most i'm
portant duty.
At any rate the suIerintendents should
| lend their assistance to correct errors
wherever they exist. Altogether con-
| siderable amount is expended annually.
| If the supsrintendents are reasonably vlgt
liant and energetic this amount will be
properly expended. At this time the
State and the taxpayers can i'll afford TO
pay cent not properly expended,
Fcurth-Regard pg parish institutes
they are an experiment in this State.
During the session of the general assem-
bly, in 1884 law was adopted authorizing
the holding of State Institutes. They have
inaugurated new era in the science of
teaching, and hav. given an impetus to in
quiry and earnest thought in the sphere OF
popular instruction. They have become
great agencies in educational development.
They ale worthy Of encouragement.
1t is proper TO state that without the aid
| Of the Ptahody funds it would not be pos
sihle to no d these institutes.
Parish institutes. whenever possible,
should also be held In the enforcement
of the school laws every effort should be
made to improve the efficiency Of the
eacher.
1t is not necessary for him to possess re-
mark able talent or to be extraordinarily
learned, but some training as teacher is
necessary.
This will be improved by association
with other teachers and by discussing sub
jvcts aopertaining to the duties of his pro-
fession.
Not only with reference to institutes,
but ia all bis relations with the teacher
the superintendent shonld ex ercise friend
ly influence. He is an important agent.
S,me one has said ii at a good general IN
battle is equal to several parks of artill-
cry In times of peace a good teacher is
more useful and renders greater service
/ than either or both.
Lord Brougham once said: "Let the
soldier be abroad, if he will, he can dc
nothing in this age. There is another per
sonage abroad, pers less posing, in
the eyesof some, perhaps insignificant
The schoolsn aster is abroad, AMI trust in
him, sr ned with his primer, against tbs
soldier in full military array.
/ The superintendent and the teat hel
should be in sympathy with each other
Ii the latter be worthy, his friendship an6