Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-05-10
aatisfellaneuus 8eadina.
SUMNER SCHOOLS.
A Very Sensible Discussion of an Impor-
tant Matter.

Very Sensible discussion Oh An lHipor-
tant Matter.
Editorial in the Chester Lantern.
Improvement of teachers and schools
is most desirable work, and efforts
in that direction are commendable; but
we think our enthusiastic young super
intendent is OVERRIDING the thing. 1t
will be seen on another page that he
proposes to have four-weeks institute
in each county, each to be conducted
by two instructors, and each faculty OF
two instructors to conduct two county
institutes.
We doubt the wisdom of holding an
institute in every county, regardless OF
the demand for it. Aside from the ex-
pense, an institute where there is no
real desire for it does little or no good.
An irregular attendance made up OF
different teachers from day to day, or
compulsory and perfunctory attend
ance is worse than useless. TO make
the institute a success the demand for
| it must come from the rank and file OF
the teachers, or they must be in cor
dial sympathy with the undertaking
and desire to avail themselves OF its
advantages.
But when institutes are held, teach
ers should not be worn out with them
For most of those who have regular
employment for the year-something
| like nine months-two weeks is as long
as they will be profted; at least the
length of term should be adapted to
the case. But the great mass of teach
ers do not have an all-year job; many
of them must engage in other pursuits
to make living for themselves and
others dependent upon them, and few
of them can arrange to attend advan'
tageously for month.
The compulsory attendance hinted
at would better be omitted. Teachers
should be free people. They will not
enjoy efforts on the part of those who
know nothing of their circumstances
to force them to do at sacrifice Wha,
they know is not best. The mere fact
of teachers having attended one ot
these schools is not sufficient ground
for giving them preference over super
| ior teachers who have not, and any
effort to carry out such purpose would
bring bad results.
As intensely important as this mat
ter is, there is such thing as undue
haste. The enthusiasm and earnest
ness of the state superintendent land
we believe our present one has good
degree of both) must work down
through the county superintendent
and inspire the teachers, and the de,
mand for opportunities to improve
must come up from them. They ought
to attend these schools; they ought to
welcome the opportunity; but this
must be the case before such schools
will be a success, and We believe ii
will not only be unnecessary expense
but positive injury to the cause to
provide the schools in advance of their
usefulness.
This institute work has heretofore
shown distinct signs of becoming toe
much of business. Mr.. McMahan is
going to get enthusiastic encourage
ment in his purpose from men-anc
perhaps few women-who expect tc
engage in the business and right here
some of his troubles are going to begin
1t will take 40 instructors to make
up the faculties. They are not avail
able; we mean teachers with the quail
lifications to make the work profitable
And yet almost every ambitious teach
er that has attained even local prom
inence will expect part of the busi
ness, and for anyway out that we car
see, by the present plan of selection
he will have to get some of it. This
lis going to make many of the schools
failure. There is just one remedy
and it is the right course to pursue
anyway-let the institutes be worked
up from the other end of the line, anc
let the selection of conductors come
from the same quarter.
AS for the state normal, we see bu
little use for it, if we are to have A
others of equal length.
This subject only gets wider as W.
pursue it, so we will drop it for th'
present ct least.