The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1897-05-15
EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT
EDITED BY A. j. DUPUY.
Harmony In Schools.

The pubic Sch0Oi IL Il puOlic lDStitu-
ton rs its name signifies. AS such it is
the grandest institution of our country.
1t belongs to the masses and is depend
dent upon them for its support.
The public school is in an epoch OF its
history surprising any of the past, and
its continued improvement and pros
petity, is confidently prophesied. 1t
was only few years ago when any man
or woman who had studied simple
arithmetic and reading was qualified
teacher. But that is now Il thing of the
past. A specpl study OF teaching is
now being itnade all over these
United States, Teachers are being edu
Gated in Nels-,;.l schools. T,htlp2 study
not on $40 gather store N informa-
ton and knowledge, bus they study
child nature and the sciY1pce Of the hui
man mind iif~arder TIM they may be
mole capable 6rr..proving the child !;
they study the requirements OF the
school in order that they may take 1t
out OF the hole of prejudice against
which it has had to battle, especially IN
this State, and lift it to that high sum
NIT of ienown and glory which it
will finally reach. That great aud
noble philanthropisf George Peabody
willed his immense fortune towards the
education of teachers in the Sonth, and
each State is making provisions tor the
support of Normal schools. Therefore.
how can it be otherwise than that we
are getting trained teachers
Teachers are now trained to know and
perform their duty, but with all this,
there exists discordant element in our
schools Few of the patrons of the
school know their duty or rather have
an exaggerated idea OF it. Most OF them
want to be teachers and wish to tram
the hired teachers. Some imagine that
because the schools are public each man
in the community has right to dictate
to the teacher special privileges and
rules for his children. just imagine
the school of Opelousas with 300 pu-
pills having three hundl ed different rules
for its pupils How harmonious is the
voice Of the people when they a,e all
singing different tunes at the same
time, and what pretty capers does the
teacher cut when he tries to keep time
Will. all tunes.
Every person connected with schools
is in favor of discipline except when his
caild deserves punishment. III the
child of widow is punished, it is done
because advantage is taken of the poor
widows helpless condition, and tls.
teacher wishes to set an example with
that child. 1t is the same with the
Child of an invalid. II it happens to
be the son of Il hig-higl!-weil do
man who is the towns pride that is be-
cause-well, it is hard to tell Why III
this case. 1t may be that the teacher is
on the opposide side of politics and
has personal gludso against the poor
child's parents.
In any of the above cases the man or
hr hns ha
outraged goes. before the public and
procIaims aloud his or her grievances.
The teacher is abused in unmerciful
language. The brute, where did he
come from? Mr.. Superintendent of
schools, where did you get that man
Don't you know he can't teach a chool
This is no fictitious story. 1t is true
and real, but expressed in mild terms.
What we need is harmony in school.
All people connected with it must walk
side by side, in the same direction, aud
each pulling Oh the same rope towards
the same end. What good comes OF
branching off to yourself, and with a
! few who are likewise inclined. None
whatever. We don't care il it does you
no good, since you like it. But it is the
harm and injury that you do the school
| that we are particular about.
| NOIuluS Is EHOIC w " Shoo'
than people who try to arouse III feel.
! ings and predjudice in the bosom OF
their children. All people have faults,
but, parents, never expose the faults ol
| a teacher before their pupils. They will
magnify them and lose respect for the
teacher. Respect is All attribute with
| out which one cannot teach. Of course,
| there are some people who cannot com
| mand respect, but do not tell your chill
dren about it. IT you have such per
son in your school and think he should
not be there, go to tie Board in a
| quiet an dignified manner, and express
your wishes and demand your rights.
We do not want to leave the impress
sion that we believe the people of thlt
community as whole are ignorant o.
their duty. Not by any means do We
believe that. But there are few, per
| haps half dozen or more. But when
| one voice alone is ont of tune, all othe
voices are discordant. 1t seems so.
1t is to be hoped that ali OF US will b'
awakened to realization OF our faults
| before We die; and if We don't, let u
| pray that our children will see them
clearly so they may avoid them.
We went to Thibodaux last week OF
the excursion.
/ Rev. Armstrong visited our schoo
i several times lately.
Il
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