The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1893-10-11
The S, IOOLS OF THE COUNTY.
The Pupils Enrolled-The Average Attend
ance and Length of the Schoo! Year
Some Interesiing Facts.

School Commissioner Keitt will in a
short lime give statement IN regard
TO the free public schools of the coun-
ty. But through his kindness The
Herald and News is enabled TO aDtici-
pate this annual report and give some
facts and figures that ought to interest
the people.
The free public schools for the past
year have all closed and will not begin
the next year until some time in No
vember In many cases the patrons
supplement the public school fund
either by local taxation or tuition
charges. We think it can be safely
stated as fact that Newberry County
stands in the front rank on the ques-
ton Of education.
The total enrolment of pupils for
1892 was 5,769; for 1898 it was 6,392.
The average attendance for 1892 was
$3.50; for 1898 it was 4,34S. 1tshould be
borne in mind that the statements
made here refer only to the free public
schools.
The enrolment for 1893 of negroes
was 4,035 ard whites 1857. Average
attendance of negroes 1856 81, and
whites 1924.
There are $50 teachers in the public
schools of this county, 81 OF whom
hold first grade certificates; 10 second
grade; third grade, and l3 license.
Of these, y are whites and So negroes
Of the necroes, 81 are females and 2G
males. Of the white teachers, As are
females and "a males and 81 hold first
grade certificates; 10 second grade, and
one license.
The figures giveL here we think are
encouraging. The attendance is good
and the grade of the certificate held by
the teachers is evidence of the fact
that we have good teachers in our
public schools.
A large number of our teachers are
females and we do not know but that
it is we'll, for first class lady teacher
is the best for young children. A no.
table fact too is, as will be seen from
figures given below, that the pay OF
the female teacher is nearly as much
as that of the male, and where they
hold the same grade it should be as
much. The pay of all of them is too
small and it is pity the school year
could not be made longer, but as we
have stated in many cases the public
fund is supplemented.
The average length of the public
school term for 1892 was Al months
and for 1893 it was 366; the reason it
was shorter the past year was owing to
the expenditure of some money in
building new houses and endeavoring
to get the schools on cash basis. And
we might add mere that the public
schools are nearer a cash basis this
year than last by at least 81, 900.
The average pay for male teachers is
S1955, and for female S1S.67.
The average pay of a first grade male
teacher is $3.50; female $4,000. For
second grade male, $3.50; female,
$3.50. For third grade male, 1888:
female, $500. For the holder of a
license, Sl43S.
Two teachers Institutes were held in
the county during the past summer,
with an attendance Of III; 81 in the
white institute and A in the colored.
For this work S400 was expended. The
white institute lasted three weeks and
the colored two weeks.
During the past year S49O.16 has
been expended in buildings and lots,
and $42G2 paid for rent.
The amount expended for teachers
salaries was 12,600.10.
Then a good deal of time has been
devoted to laying off the county in
suitable school districts.
Altogether We think this is good
showing and the public schools are in
q healthy condition. Of course more
might be done. School Commissioner
Keitt is taking an active interest in
building up and bettering the system
aud getting all out of it possible.