The news & observer., 1901-06-08
THE COUNTRY SCHOOL
Longer Terms and Better
Work Suggested.
What Might BE- Dome in Rural Districts by
Combined Efforts Of Parents and
teachers,

To the Editor: While the discussions
relating to education are rife in North
Carolina, there is very little heard
from the school teachers of our public
schools.
AS the attorney is an authority in
legal questions and the physician an
authority in physics, the preacher on
matters of religion, so should the
teacher OF our public schools be an au-
thority in questions relative to these
schools. l. as one of the great mass of
teachers who are engaged in teaching
our numerous public schools, although
humble is my position, am going to
present some of my views on a few
things of interest both to the teachers
and to the parents.
During this time, the administration
of North Cardinals educational Cover
nor, you can hardly pick up news
paper without noticing that some town
has voted so much in bonds for grad
ed school. 1t seems that there is an ed
ucational awakening in North Carolina
Everyone is discussing questions of
education. 1t is the talk on the cars,
the theme of discussion on the streets,
the gossip of the corner grocery. Our
editors are pushing the interests of edu-
cation. In every town of Importance
there are graded schools in construction
or already constructed.
But While our towns are thus increas-
ing in educational facilities, what is be-
ing done in the rural districts? 1 am
sorry to say the educational enterprise
is not nearly so active there. The far
mer is the back bone of the country.
His children will some day be the back
bone, and that back bone must be edu-
Gated to match the rest of the body.
Our country boys and girls must be
educated as we'll as those of our towns.
The sun-burned brow and the freckled-
face must be no longer an excuse for il
literacy The little lad who plods be-
hind the plow beneath the suns burning
rays has thirst for knodledge as well
as he who rests beneath the shade.
His brain is fertile soil for the germ
Of education Let us give to the coun-
try lad as much advantage as possible.
OF course we cannot expect in the rural
district schools so good as those in the
cities and towns. but we can certainly
have better schools in the country than
we do The terms of our country
money should be appropriated to give
every boy and every girl in North
Carolina a common school education.
A proposition has been made that
each teacher give, free of charge one
month of his time to the interests of
education in our State. This would give
the children one month more in which
to go to school We are asked to give
one-twelfth of our time as an offering
to education in North Carolina. 1t may
be that some of US cannot spare this
time, but | think it consistent to say
that most Of us can if we will So let
us each and all give this time as re-
quested Let us do our utmost to bring
North Carolina where it should be. Let
us free the atmosphere Of the Old North
State from ignorancei We can give
one-twelfth of our time to so worthy a
cause. Now, parents, how much of
your time will you give? Won't you
give twelfth? What a crusade against
ignorance would be made if each parent
in North Carolina would give one month
of his time each year to the interest of
education! Let us have at least a seven
months school in every school district!
Let the parents of North Carolina
give to their children those advantages
which were denied them. In the name
of Christianity do not oppose educa-
tion because you yourself are not edu-
Gated! Do not be afraid that the edu-
Gated child will look down upon the
uneducated parent. Educate your chill
dren, and they will love YOU for it;
do not and they will despise you. For
verify the day cometh when the litter
ate man will be looked upon as a fool
And now to the teachers Let each
teacher take more interest in the school
than in the salary and in SO doing we
get our interest compounded
l think it a good idea that the teach
crs of each county form themselves in.
to an assembly, and meet together for
the discussion of educational matters
and reciprocation.
W. r. EVANS.
Greenville, N. c., June Z, 1901.