The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1890-05-22
We Wa.i' a State Normal.

we must either go forward or back
ward. In our country there has been
greater progress made in no one pro-
fession, if l may so term it. than in
teaching. The schools of to-day are
Infinitely better in every respect than
they were two decades ago. This fact
is not due so much to a greater interest
shown in education by the people gen.
orally, as it is to the fact that teaches
are now better prepared for their work
than ever before.
In our own State, am sorry to say,
however, that the training of teachers
is sadly neglected. Indeed it has only
been within the past few years that
any steps have been taken in that di-
rection. Simply because training
schools have not been organized in
South Carolina, numbers Of teachers
annually go to other States for that
particular instruction which they can
not get here. This is wrong, not wrong
for the teachers to go, but wrong that
sufficient facilities are not afforded at
home-in our own State. The young
men and ladies who leave the State
often fail to come back, because, hav-
ing been trained they can get better
pay for their work elsewhere. We
want flrst-class educators in our own
State and there must be some in
ducement to have them here. Our
teachers need training, and county in
stitutes and teachers associations, al
though doing a good work, do not fully
meet the demand.
What I wish to say in this article is
that some steps be taken in the near
future towards establishing State
Normal School. Nearly every State
in the Union has one or more, and we
should have one also.
In 1856 a school was established in
Columbia for the purpose of training
young ladies for school work.
In 1887 the State legislature, to its
credit, created "a scholarships III the.
school, yielding $3.50 each. This was
right and expedient. Now these schol-
arships are eagerly sought for by
young ladies who appear at the COM
petitive examination held yearly.
They are not only willing but anxious
to attend the Winthrop Training
School.
There is it is true, Normal Depart
ment at the State University, and per-
haps is doing good work for the few
that attend it. This department does
not meet the demand for normal
training in the State. Why does it not
meet the demand? Simply because
the people do not regard the South
Carolina University as e. normal
school The University is considered a
high grade classical iDstitution-sone-
thing which every State should have,
From the catalogue of lSS9-S0, we
observe that there are three students in
the normal department of the Univer-
sity-only three young men receiving
special training in South Carolina for q
great and highly important work.
There is an agricultural department
in the University. also. So far as I
know this may be doing very good
O,,t ,1,ot1 hoe tho
mand or not is shown by the fact that
two years ago the people of the State
asked for an agricultural college sepa-
| rate and distinct from the University.
It was felt that classical Institution
is not place to learn how to cultivate
| the lands so that the best results may
be obtained. The demand of the peo-
pie was granted.
AS the agricultural college does not
meet the demand, certainly the normal
department falls far short of it.
There are seventy free scholarships
in the Citadel Academy. Nobody OBJ
iects to this. But if the State can at-
ford to train, every four years, seventy
| young men in the arts of war in times
of peace, certainly it can afford to train
every two years half that number in.
the arts of peace.
Now what we want is a normal
school in some portion Of the State
which has for its only purpose the
training of young men for the school
| room.
This school should have scholarships
| given by the State to one or more
young men from each county who
shall make the best grade at competi-
tive examination.
Such a school would not cost the
State great deal. Nolarge appropria-
ton would be necessary, as few well
trained instructors would be sufficient.
The students having finished the
course should be required to teach in
the free common schools of the State
number of years-two or more.
What would be the effect of such a
school?
1t would make teachinga profession.
It would make young men az well as
young ladies feel that their work is a
noble one. The young man would not
90 into the school room expecting to
stay there only year or 50 or until he
finds some more profitable employ
ment.
It would cause our people to take
more interest in common school edu-
cation. There is not as much interest
felt in this matter as there should be.
But if the teachers were thoroughly
trained they would show that there is
really something in education.
1t would raise the teachers standard
higher.
1ncompetency or unftness would
not be tolerated.
The best positions would be filled by
the best teachers.
It would cause the best talent of the
State to stay here and not go to other