The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1904-09-22
WHAT ARE THE SCHOOLS FoRY


says writer in the Boston Globe,
when considering the object and pur-
pose of schools. If the boys aud girls
were asked, he says, what they are
going to school for, nine tenths Of
them would answer, "To get an edu-
cation" Yet" he queries, Ibid
any one ever get an education at
SCHOOL," "Of all jumping to conclu-
sious." continues the writer, "the
record long distance Jump is made in
. the common assumption that an edu-
cation can be gained in school room.
This is one of the most harmful of
popular delusions. 1t is an artesian
we'll of error, disappointment and
prejudice. Every parent and every
youth who entertains it is blinded t0
the true purposes and uses of the
school"
What the school can and ought to
do is to impart to the pupil mental
discipline which will strengthen him
for toll and lnculcate habits of indus
try that will be useful in future AS
the soldier at Manassas was shown
some of the hardships and vicissitudes
of real warfare while he was drilled
to perform its duties, so the aim of
the school is to prepare the pupil for
the actual warfare of everyday exis-
tence. While there are as many views
as to methods and training as are held
by the great generals who conduct
campaigns, the school goes on with
its work, sending out boys and girls
equipped as they will by their intelli-
gent industry, or, by neglect of OPP
portuuity, lily prepared to cope with
the difficulties that come.
While it is true that school does
not necessarily make men good or
great, nor can learning make character,
there is one thing the school does and
does we'll for those who seek tit
teaches, or ought to teach, boys and
girls how to study, to concentrate the
attention without which no great
triumph in any line can be achieved.
LII bCIOOl thOy AOhlh w NlOlu
and industriously the tools which en-
able them to do future work, and &C.
cording as they practice faithfully will
the reward come.
Not all great meu have been learned
men, and some who have been leaders
were unlettered, but who, neverthe-
less, acquired their education through
self instruction. and by self discipline,
way that is open to all.
Modern methods of education seek
to make the path, if not "a royal road
to learning" at least pleasant one,
with as many helps as possible.
Whether the result of this will be to
produce inferior mentality cannot per-
haps be shown, but the modern school
room, with its neat and comfortable
surroundings and appliances, its
books, maps, charts and globes, is in
sharp oonstrast to the little "red
school house, in which the old time
student struggled to attain to know
ledge.
The modern curriculum is so ex-
tensive and varied that the question
ofwhat studies to take is often puz-
cling one, but the truth probably is
that it does not SO much matter what
is taken as how it is taken. Never
theless, educators are coming to realize
that the chief end and aim of the
| chouI6 ha 10 nj sci.
cal education. The German system
differs from the American in that il
aims toward preparation for more than
one walk in life, and includes high.
ly developed system of technical and
trade schools, which equip for a com
mercial or mechanical career the stu
dent not designed for profession
Some one has said that the Germans
are saving of time in the preparatory
schools but prodigal in universities
while American schools. wastefu
of time in the lower schools. begin
their saving in the colleges. A grow
ing tendency toward this diversified
training is shown in the rapid spring
ing up of business colleges, the intro
duction of business departments ane
manual training in this public schools
If it was formerly an advantage TO
the leverage unlocked boy to tot
for years at subjects he cordially de
tested, according to the rugged sim
plicity of the old time system tina
would sharpen all wits on the sam
scholastic grindstone, that he nigh
come out of the ungrateful struggl
with some powers of voluntary atten
ton, it may be that the concentrate
of attention on work for which he
fitted by nature, to say nothing of in
=, clination. may produce results ia
worthier the effort. Literaoy in on
age is indispensable to advancement
( but classical course of study nee
! not be all that is looked forward
!. in the preparatory school. The oppol