The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1904-04-09
swEDEN's GOOD SCHOOLS.
They Are Among the Best In the
WorId-EdueatioBal
Constantly Rising.

Sweden seldom attracts the attention
Of the average American teacher, al
though in matters educational ii has
many lessons for educators throughout
the world. The standard Of popular edu-
cation in Sweden has been steadily ris-
ing from the time of the reformation, and
the indications point to even greater
efficiency ahead, states an educational
Journal. II should be noted that a large
preponderaRce of the population OF the
kingdom has remained Of a rural charae-
acter, and public education has been
adapted most closely to agricultural
needs. The first beginnings Of the ma
tional school system were made in 1856.
In that year a law was enacted to in
sure for all children a sound religious ed
u~cation, SO far as reading and knowledge
Of the Lutheran cathecism were con-
cerned. In 1912 the national compulsory
law Of education was introduced. Mod
flying acts have appeared since, but the
present system comes from that date.
As c result of its excellence practically
everyone in the country can read and
write.
The boundaries of a parish and a
school district usually coincide. The
deliberattVe authority is the parish
council, and the executive is a school
board, which is made of the pastor as
chairman and four men chosen by the
council. The national government en-
ploys AZ inspectors, appointed for six
years, to take a general oversight Of the
schools. These inspectors are under the
direction of the general department OF
education. 1t would seem as though this
elaborate system of supervision might
account for the prevailing high stand
ard of excellence. Each school dis
trict is compelled by law to have at
least n school. If possible it must
have two divisions-a junior and a Sc
nior. In the larger places there are
schools somewhat like our high schools.
The school age begins with the end of the
seventh year and ends with its
fourteenth although even then he may
be exempt unless he has reached a
grade. The course of study in
as obligatory, religious instruc-
ton, the ordinary elementary subjects,
geometry, physical and natural science,
gymnastics, manual training and gar
There are Il training colleges In the
country, seven for men and five for wom-
EN-. Each has a practice school at
to it. Considering the qualifica-
required the teachers salaries
seem small. The salaries of senior
certificate masters and mistresses are
$162 for the first five years. with
increases of $27 for each succeeding Pc
Rod of five years, up to $216. They re-
,eiye In addition lodgings, fuel, forage
or a cow or equivalent in money. The
lost Of maintenance is divided between
he school district and the state. The
districts provide and maintain the
school buildings, furniture, apparatus,
and warming, and, with gov
aid, pay the salaries. The
tate supports the pension funds and
maintains the training colleges and the
inspectors. The Swedes have intro
luced a number of interesting features
nto their system. Among these are
colonies for weakly children,
workshop refugees for the very poor and
high schools intended to educate younger
OF the humber classes in civic
Iuties and the like.