The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1897-06-19
COMPE ZITITE EX4M/WA-
TON or TEACHERS.

According to a resolution of the
parish School Board adopted last
fall, the public school teachers of
this parish must undergo every year
a competitive examination for their
respective positions in all instances
where two or more applications are
6led for the same school. The
resolution in question is based upon
Sec. ~ of the school laws providing
that |<whenever two or more
teachers apply for the same posi-
ton or positions a competitive ex-
animation shall be held, and the
position or positions shall be given
to the most competent"
In a most eloquent and able
address at Falk's hall, last
Thursday evening, Prof. r. L.
Hines, State institute conductor,
took occasion to touch upon this
point in answer to a query.
The distinguished professor pro-
ceeded to show the manifest injus
tice and absurdity of subjecting
faithful and competent teachers to
the worry and trouble of a COM
petitive examination with any shift
less character actuated by malicious
or selfish motives, in applying.
The spirit and evident intent of the
State law, said Prof. Hines, is that
competitive examinations shall be
held only where several teachers
apply for an unoee1bi<d position
and does not therefore contemplate
throwing open wide the doors to an
indiscriminate and unseemly scram-
BILE for every position within the
gift of the Board.
The opinion expressed carries
weight and conviction as coming
from one whose thorough acquain-
speeding educational matters in this
State, entities him to the just con-
sideration of all intelligent and fair
minded citizens. The argument is
reinforced by the manifest purpose
of the law to provide good and
competent teachers and SO soon as
this end is subserved all that the act
ever contemplated has been accom-
plished. The application of the
strict letter of the law, as adopted
by the Board, would be as un-
reasonable as unfair, and would
prove a most potent factor in dis
turbing that stability and perma-
nency of character SO essential to
any successful advancement.
'<Hold fast to that which is good"
As a motto peculiarly applicable.
The Gazette would not for a mo-
ment be understood as endeavoring
to shield incompetent teachers from
a fate they SO richly deserve, l. e.,
summary removal from a profess
sion too high and holy to be dis
graced by their sacrilegious hands.
The position taken is that it is the
Boards province, aye, its duty, to
see that every school in the parish
is properly conducted and that the
teachers exercise moral and eleva-
ting influences on the minds of the
children entrusted to their care and
training. The Board should thor
onghly ,acquaint itself with the con-
ditions and progress of every school,
and, if any teacher is found dere-
lict III duty, no resort need be made
to competitive examinations, but he
should forthwith be dismissed from
the service and some good teacher
submitted.
:, But. so long as a teacher faith
fully and conscientiously performs
his duty, giving entire satisfaction
ITO patrons as we'll as officials, The
Gazette cannot recognize the ne
cessity, or comprehend the object,
IN submitting the position to COM