Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1905-07-06

attended the normal for a few months
felt other teachers were rather frail
pygmies as compared with himself. I
do not know if one can detect such a
feeling prevailing in the mind of an un-
dergraduate in arts However, 1 will
hazard to set down my views with the
hope that my intentions will be rightly
understood as those of humble student
and teacher, who willingly expresses for
the sake OF correction what he does not
fully understand as we'll as some sincere
convictions as to the betterment of the
institutions whose interests he has most
at heart 1t is with the latter end in
view especially that take increased in
terest in the useful information given by
the able directors of our institute and
am desirous to cooperate at least by a
bold attempt to set ablaze the thought
full minds of my fellow teachers.
Now l will say nothing but what
is agreeable to the teachers of Cavalier
county as body. "Indeed not" would
L hear some answer. "for you are too
fond of criticising." Twill not deny that
l choose to criticise, for such is the duty
of all if we seek the characteristic prog
ress of the Yankees. instead of sheepish
ly shrinking from the dangers attending
the vanguard. If we deserve praise let
others bestow it while we slft out def
ciencies. I will here appeal not only to
all thoughtful educators, but also to
those who are interested in education
and wish all concerned to receive the
greatest benefit.
| My first attendance at teachers in
stitute was most apt to leave me some
impressions, which in this case were
those of proficiency and excellence inter
mingled with marked deficiency among
some of the teachers. l could very we'll
explain the position of students in Ian
guages, arts literature, science and phil
osophy, who would appear "rusty" in the
common school subjects, but l have
scant excuse for the teachers who hav
ing no other intellectual development
; than that afforded by the study and ac-
tual teaching of common school subjects
. find themselves in world of mysteries
as soon as they deal with the mere rudi-
ments of those studies which should ap-
pear as inherent in them as the tendency
to be on time at the dinner table. If we
. find such deficiency in the capability to
teach we can also find a lack of the
moral training necessary to render in
: structors capable to instill in children
!. that taste for education, deep sense for
: patriotism and moral laws indispensable
to the nation that would long endure
: and not crumble into ruins as all over
materialistic countries have hitherto
done. The first remedy is to find more
teachers who have received a regular
!: formation from institutions of good
n standing. Another practical remedy is
to employ the less qualified where there
is principal or "tirst teacher fully
equipped for the general management
of the school under his charge, thus
2 leaving no country school at the mercy
of an unsettled mind without aim or
: ideal, without interest or experience
. Again, the requirements of our schools
would be more easily met were the mum
9 Der of schools lessened by consolidation
y where the authorities would deem it ex
g pedient and conducive to better results
I would strongly advocate such consol
dation of schools mainly on the following
y grounds: First there would be better
choice of teachers, there being fewer
/ rural schools: secondly, more of the
0 young teachers would have ar
! ! opportunity to teach under the lead
2 ership of more experienced ones, since
4 the attendance of some schools would be
rendered sufficiently great to admit ot
y more than one teacher Also an increase
= in attendance would afford a stimulus
8 to the scholars, for how can there be any
5 emulation or interest where there is but
. one or two in class.
< One week of experience and observa
tion has convinced me of the utter in
9 efficiency of such schools and the necssi
y ty of some kind of consolidation. would
I therefore advise all interested in educa
J. tion to advocate and promote consolida
I ton and begin the battle at the meeting
. to be held here on Saturday.
IA j. O. PLANTE.
Langdon, N. D.. July 5th, 1905.