The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-04-20
CONSOLIDATED SCHOOLS.

The time is fast coming when the
consolidation of the rural schools in
this state will be of paramount i'm
portance. In fact. it is so now, but
like all other changes from estab-
lished conditions the change must
come as an evolution.
The people have often opposed the
plan merely because it was CEN
tralizing of the schools, removing
them farther from the patrons.
If there We're no benefits to be de-
rived from this, then it would be a
decided disadvantage But the adj
vantages of the system so far out
weigh the other that the matter need
only be presented to be accepted
One of the great objects of the edu-
cational system is the development of
the mind of the child just as rapidly
as nature will permit. But few, if
any, children have ever suffered from
over-study. Many of them have suf-
fered from improper study, however.
The secret of successful teaching is
to accomplish the most good in the
fewest years OF the child's life. In
this age of specialists the man or.
woman who contemplates entering up
on any one of the technical professions
should have the foundation for the
special course laid three or four years
before reaching majority.
This will permit the completion of
the technical education and the en-
tering upon the active operation of
the profession sufficiently early in life
to reach something near the top,
while the individual is yet in the prime
of life.
This early education can only be Sc
cured by having the very best advan-
tages.
The average country school will
have classes ranging from the begin
ner to those fitting themselves for
the high school. The teacher will be
compelled to handle Just as many
recitations during the day as though
she had dozen pupils in each class,
although in fact she may only have
one. 1t takes as long to properly
demonstrate to one pupil as to
dozen. except the individual instruc-
ton which requires a small percentage
of time.
By having large number of classes
to be heard in specified time the
teacher is forced to give less attention
to each than if there were fewer.
This is identically what is secured
by the plan of consolidation. More
children are brought together, and
while the number of classes are kept
the same. more teachers can be en-
ployed. Each teacher will have more
pupils in each class than there would
be in isolated schools, but by having
fewer Rotations more time can be
given to each. Naturally this pushes
the pupils forward faster and will re-
duce the time required in completing
the school course several years. In
addition the pupil gets the stimulus
of competition. which makes him more
aggressive. more self-assertive. and
consequently more self-reliant.
The saving in the time required for
the school term is sufficient compen-
sation for the extra cost of reaching
a consolidated school.
With the system now practiced of
gathering the children, there is less
exposure than in reaching the separ-
ate schools, and the cost of maintain
ing is actually less, because one ex-
pense of heating and cleaning takes
the place of three or four, while the
cost for teachers is no more, practi-
cally the same number being en-
ployed.
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