Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1901-12-23
Educational Field
Conducted By Hon. M. B. Dennis

ches that are required at present to be
taught by law. In an ordinary sized
school these seven branches OF study
cover seven or eight grades, thirty-five or
forty daily recitations.
In answer to a number Of letters sent
out last year to the country teachers Of
Pennsylvania, by Hon. John Hamilton.
secretary Of agriculture OF that common
wealth, making inquiry as to the number
of daily classes heard, 491 replies were re-
ceived representing 81 counties. "Of this
number" he reported, "hfty-two teachers
heard 80 classes; nine, 81; twenty-five. 90;
six, 80; eleven, "a; ten, 80; two, IS; two,
81; two, 3S; two, 20; one, ia SUMMARY
of the figures showing that one hundE1s-
and nineteen teachers Of the 4si reportfns
have daily an average of 80 classes, and
the general average for the whole 4g1 be-
ing q classes per day. The average NUM-
Der of scholars In these schools Is 3d.
We have been apprised Of eight rural
schools in a middle Georgia county-and
they are, we feel sure not below the
average-which are presided over by
nine teachers. The average number og
pupils to each teacher is q, the average
number Of grades is Z, and the average
number OF daily recitations heard by each
teacher is nearly IS.
In commenting on the condition IN the
state of Pennsylvania as above quoted,
the honorable secretary of that state very
pertinently remarks that mo teacher can
DO justice to himself or to his scholars
under such conditions. No teacher, no
matter how learned or skilled, can under
the present system, properly instruct
these pupils In the time at his disposal
And yet in the country districts throuSh-
out Pennsylvania teachers are compelled,
year after year to attempt this impos-
sible task"
From this showing-and Il Is not exax-
gerated-it VIII be seen that the Georgia
teacher has more to do than the Penn
sylvania teacher by eight daily recita-
lions. What makes the difference We
know not, unless it is the result Of a DIFF
ference in classification on In number Of
branches taught. The comment OF Mr..
Hamilton is timely, as is known by ali
acquainted with this kind of work. Now,
IL 1t is impossible to do proper worl-that
sort Of work that IS necessary to accom-
plish reasonably good results-in Pennsyl-
vania under her conditions, how much
more impossible is it in Georgia under
her less favorable conditions?
The conditions and results as found In
the Georgia schools relate to only seven
branches now taught in the public
schools, as enumerated above. Add only
one more branch, be It Physiology and
Hygiene or whatnot, and two OF three
more daily recitations-if not more-must
necessarily be added. and the impossible
rendered more impossible.
In the language of Pennsylvania sec
rotary of agriculture, 'It is impossible.
physically impossible. The system must
first be changed"
Under such conditions the results OF the
work done in the rural schools must, OF
course be meagre. 1t would simply
amount to a miracle were 1t otherwise.
And yet, because OF present results,
which are the natural offspring OF the ex-
listing system for which the legislature
alone is responsible, the school officials Of
the state and the niggardly paid teachers
are abused and held up to ridicule and
charged with neglect and incompetency.
And what hurts US more than all else is
the inexplicable silence and meekness
which has characterized said officials and
teachers under these unreasonable and
grave charges. 1t is to be hoped the gov
ernor will veto the bill adding physiology
and hygiene to the common school course
of study, II for no other reason solely be-
cause the present number of branches as
fixed by the law cannot be properly
taught under the system now in force.
NJ. B. DENNIS.