The Portland daily press., 1895-07-12
THE SYSTEM OF EDUCATE ON


To the Editor of the Press:
The present system of education in some
of our towns certainly lacks one great
essential: thoroughness. and perhaps at
the same time we may say that it also
lacks clearness. 1t is very hard for pupils
or parents to understand of what the
system consists Neither do they know
whether the teachers are appointed be-
cause of their fitness or for the personal
satisfaction of supervisor or trustees.
Even after school becomes run down, if
they chance to like the teacher, he or she
is reelected term after term, year after
year notwithstanding the evident dissatis-
faction of the parents. Now do not ad-
vocate change of teachers simply be-
cause a few of the people cry out against
| the present instructor, but when in an
educated community the majority of the
parent express dissatisfaction concerning
the school work it is high time that work
received a thorough investigation. But
some of our stoi cal trustees sit upon their
| throne of office unheeding the Indignant
| protests of those most interested in the
welfare of the school. This condition of
affairs should be changed and at once.
In many of our schools the pupils get
a smattering of numerous branches, but
no practical knowledge. AS long as they
can attend Grammar school, going
through the daily routine of work, and
from there to the High school without
any entering examinations they are all
right, but when they are obliged at the
end of the term to take examinations in
order to enter the High school it is found
that they do not pass SO easily, even in
the simplest of studies. After the few
successful pupils get into the High school
they take Latin Greek and French, and
after having graduated more than halt
of them are unable to do simple examples
in arithmetic or give the roots of the verbs
correctly. Of course it is generally un-
derstood that the pupils have to pass ex-
aminations before they receive their di-
plomas, and they do have to take exami.
nation, but it is easy, oh SO easy, to pass
it. have known several pupils who
nine times out of ten gave incorrect an
swers and never received ranks above
seventy, yet they stood on the platform
on commencement day and received their
diplomas with those whose rank stood
in the nineties and at the hundred mark.
High school with q thorough knowledge
Of the various studies taken by them?
To go back to those who have been
through the Grammar course and wish
to leave for higher school Why is it
that they fail so deplorably in their ex-
aniinations? Simply because they are
compelled to go over too much ground
in too short time, and have not firm
grasp of the rudiments of the knowledge
for which they are seeking 1t is i'm.
possible for one to take hold of the studies
in so thorough manner in a year as
could be obtained in twice or three times
that length of time. Nor can the pupils
get so clear comprehension of fifteen
branches as thsy can of five. Let them
get thorough practical education first,
then if they need or desire it, they are in
fine condition to add the finishing touches
in the form of the classics and sciences.
A deep digging over a little ground at a
time, instead of a light sweep over the
whole broad surface at once.
f. L. H.