Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1897-05-08
Our Public Schools.

All over the civilized world the ed
ucation of the masses is receiving
great attention. In Europe, from the
sunny shores of France to the ice
bound region of Russia, the educa-
tion of the masses is arousing an in
terest never before manifested in
popular education. Why is this I? Be-
cause wise statesmen everywhere
recognize the fact that no people
who fail to keep abreast of the most
advanced nations, in educational
training, can hope successfully, to
compete with them, in agriculture
and the mechanic arts, in commerce
and manufacturing and in all the
sciences that are essential to the hap
piness, prosperity and Advancement
of modern civilization. knowledge
is power.n To successfully meet the
sharp competition of our times in
every branch of human industry, we
must furnish our children-the rising
generation-every facility for getting
an education that other progressive
States afford-if not we will inevi-
tably fall behind In the race of pro-
gress. Can we do it? Yes, certainly
we can, "Where there's a will there's
a way"
The schools in Pungoteague and
Lee districts were kept open this
year five and half months; in Me-
tompkin district six months; in At
lantic and District of Island six and
half Notwithstanding an average for
the whole county OF little less than
six months. We ought to do better.
We ought to extend our school term
to at least eight months. Don't say
we can't. 1t can be done. The only
additional expense would be the
teachers salaries-all other expenses
rents, fuel, books, &c., would be
the same as at present. In Atlantic
district, this year, the monthly pay
roll of teachers was $737, and we will
have small surplus. One thousand
dollars more would give us eight
months school terms. Surely the
whole district could raise that sum
and not know the difference. But
what difference it would make in
our schools Don't croak. Don't say
it's hard times know it. We all
know it. But let us struggle to ed
ucate and hope for better times.
BE still sad heart and cease repin-
ing,
Beyond the cloud is the sun still
shining,
Thy fate is the common fate of all,
Into each life some rain must fall,
Some day be dark and dreary."
The question of good public schools
is of paramount Importance. 1t
should not be ignored or thrust aside.
But the shortness of our school terms
is not their only defect. They are for
a portion of the term over crowded.
That trouble is hard to remedy. We
ought not to multiply schools, but
wherever we can we ought to con
centrate and have good schools. 1t is
better for pupils to walk a mile or
two to good graded school than to
have little cross roads primary
school with an incompetent teacher
at their doors. There is still another
important defect of our schools that
can be remedied without additional
expense-I refer to the close, thor
ough and efficient supervision of
them The 1913 public schools in Ac-
comac demand the entire time of an
active, energetic and progressive SUI
perintendent. He should have no
professional or other duties to divert
his time and attention from the
schools, and if possible he should be
a we'll trained and experienced edu-
Gator who is fully abreast of the
times in the new methods of teach
ing The question of who shall be
our next county superintendent is to
be left to q primary election. Let
the people arouse from their lethargy
and see to it that thoroughly COM
petent educator who will promise, in
uneguivocal terms, to give his whole
time to our schools, is selected to fill
that important Office. THE county
SUPERINTENDENT in Accomac is paid
S64O-and last year his bill of e1-
penses for horse hire, hotel and rail-
road fare and other items amounted
to SS9. 10, making total OF $729.1O.
This sum is double the amount paid
to the best public school teacher in
this county, and will we'll compensate
an energetic and efficient educator
for his undivided services during the
time our schools are in session. We
pay enough to have efficient super
vision and visitation of the superin-
tendent. Let us have it-not once in
six months-not hasty and perfume
tory, but as often as he can get
around, and thoroughly examine our
schools, how they are conducted, the
methods of teaching pursued, the
progress of classes and the general
discipline and control of the school,
and the aptitude and zeal of the teach
er for their chosen profession. He
should do all II his power to help and
encourage in adopting new and better
methods, and ia awaking among the