The news & observer., 1897-02-23

consideration by our State Superintend-
ent of Public Instruction, together with
committee of the leading teachers of
the State. My opinion 10 that O wise
general supervision of the rural schools,
as suggested by Prof. Chas. ID. McIver
in an able article in the Progressive
Farmer some weeks ago, viii greatly
remedy if not entirely remove many of
the defects that now exist. The State
is fortunate in having for its Superin-
tendent of Public instruction man who
is not only educationally qualified for the
important position he holds, but one who
has had experience in teaching in rural
public schools. He knows what these
schools need. DR. McIver, having trav-
eled over the entire State and worked in
the interests Of these schools, knows
much Of their needs, and while l have
not seen the plan which he has submitted
or will submit to the present Legislature
| have reason to believe it is a practical
one. OF course the execution Of the plan,
if authorized by the General Assembly
would to some degree be an experiment
but l see no reason that it might not be
a successful one. Evidently the success
would largely, if not wholly, depend upon
the men placed in charge as general su-
pervisors. None but fully competent and
experienced teachers should be allowed
to fill so important a position. Merely
an educational qualification is not suf-
ficient. The name of being a college
graduate is no guaranteed qualification.
1t may be claimed by some that il a
general supervisor had charge of all the
rural public schools in a district Of four
or five counties, he could not possibly give
every school his personal supervision
But a conscientious energetic man who
has his work at heart, can do a great
deal in a very short time. Let us invcs-
ugate just a little by appropriating the
time required to visit the schools in
territory or district of four or FIVE c0un-
ties. If there should be four hundred
public schools in the district, the super
visor, by visiting two or three schools
day, could easily make the entire round
in four months, spending an hour at
each school, during which time he could
accomplish a great deal in the interests
of the school. A ten or fifteen minutes
talk from a live, energetic man would
enthuse new life to the school. He could
conduct short recitations in the most inn
learn whittier or not the children are be-
ing properly instructed. He could give
the teacher some helpful suggestions in
regard to school government. He could,
by sending notice in advance of his visits,
arrange to speak publicly whenever he
deemed it necessary, thereby becoming
better acquainted with the people, espe-
cially the patrons of the school, and more
deeply and thoroughly arousing them to
the necessity of educating their children.
He could hold a teachers training school,
or teachers institute, in each county
some time during the year when the
greatest number of teachers could at
tend. BY this means he could become
more acquainted with the men and wo-
men under him. That wise and eff
ficient general supervision of our rural
public schools is badly needed. must be
admitted even by those who may oppose
the plan as suggested by DIR. McIver l
believe a plan, providing for the division
of the State into twenty-four districts.
four counties comprising a district and
each district in charge Of a thoroughly
competent supervisor, could be made
success. If the General Assembly will
pass an act relative to general supervision
of the public schools, the spirit of educa-
ton in North Carolina, during the next
two years, will manifest itself more pow
erfully than ever before. Even if the
plan should be considered a doubtful
experiment, as its opponents may claim.
let it be tried. If it should not prove to
be a success it could be repealed two
years hence.
J. A. w. THOMPSON.
SiIer City, n c., Feb II, 1897.