The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1896-02-26

OMe OF OMbs8 AC0C1CESs
Atthe request of the County Teachers
Association, THE News, with pleasure,
naces before the public the following
pqper upon chow to Improve the
Country Schools" read by Professor w.
II. Hitler before that body at it's last
session. The subject is interestingly
handled, and VII repay careful reads
ing;
HOW TO IMPROVE THE.coUNTRY SCHOOLS.
First, by having longer term schools.
Children cannot become educated going
to school only FIVE months in the year.
In schools so short they cannot become
thorough in the common school branch
es smuch less can they be prepared for
college. The children of our county have
been and are still being rushed through
the elementary course because CT five
months schools. In so short a time,
with no better facilities than we have,
they cannot be taught thoroughly. Any
subject hurriedly, smatteringly taught
cannot be mastered; cannot be under
stood. A child's mind gets healthy,
vigorous develo pment only from that it
understands. Then, to do the proper
thing, to look to the highest interest of
Of the future of our country, we must
have longer term schools. But to get
this we must have more money. The
public fund now must, oftentimes, be
supplemented by private subscription.
Any honorable means by which to get
The money will do. But the most feas>
ible way, think, would be by local tax
alton.
But the people say tive are taxed to
death" already. Taxes are. rather high,
but for what are we taxed? One item
that adds something to the burden is a
$40, 600 court house IN which to bring to
Justice the evil doors of our county.
Another is a $40, 600 jail in which hous4
this favored class comfortably and in the
most approved style. Compare these
magnificent buildings with the school
bOuses of our county. 1t is enough to
make every citizen blush for shame.
We have done all this knowingly, will
ingly. And it shows a certain kind of
pride, 1t sho VS. an up~to- date patriot
ism, but at the same time it shows
Strong tendency--a tendency which. if
persisted in, will cause ourlgreatestIduty,
our highest interests, to be neglected.
Alas it has reached that point already.
We cannot be free people in rea ity
without more intelligent citizenship,
which cannot be had under our present
system of education. Give us longer
term schools, let it cost what it may.
We can better afford taxation for this
purpose than for any OTHER. Under
proper management the result could
not be measured by dollars and cents.
Children with well trained minds are
the best legacy we can bequeath to pos
terity.
In the second place, we need better
teachers. An examination of the work
done in our schools will show this.
Longer term schools will help in this
particular. People who have spent sew
eraI thousand dollars in lgetting their
education cannot afford to work
soniy i've months sin the year; conse-
quently |, the best talent, the best
scholarship, is kept out of the pro.
leSslon, Another way lin which better
teachers may be secured is by paying
'hem better salaries. The teachers OF
our country schools barely make liv-
ing while they are teaching. 1t might
O9 interesting to know what they do for
" livelihood when their five months
are out. Sell books, loaf or live on all
Aahd water perhaps.
Still another way tc get better teachers
= TO add an additional feature to our
examinations. Ne are examined on
what TO teach but not howitoIteach. The
40" IS as important as the WHAT. The
Examiner ought to know something OF
sno" the teacher proposes to teach what
1e mas been examined on. And In adj
uiuon to this the examiner ought to find
Du' whether the applicant can instruct
not; whether he can impart what be
,uo"S TO Others, or to children. mot
/ cry one that saith unto me Lord, Lord,
Az Ior the Kingdom Not every one
,uo has rubbed his head against a col
~ wal is fit to become a teacher.