The Somerset reporter., 1908-04-16
The Problem of Our Rural Schools


The Problem of Our Rural Schools.
A Paper Read At a Grange Meeting At
Wellington By Dr.. Mclaughlin Ut
Harmony
If there is any one thing that should
enlist the attention and interest of
every parent and citizen, it is the sub
iect of our rural schools. 1t should
have the careful study and considera-
ton OF every one. The education of
the children sof the town, the boys
and girls that will soon become the
men and women is a problem that
needs serious study for its solution.
1t has been we'll said, that the citidel
of our liberties and prosperity as a
nation, rests on our rural schools.
How important, then, is it that these
schools should be made better, and a
higher standard of fitness for the
claims given them
In such a work as this there are, at
least, three principal factors that en-
ter into the solution of this problem,
to make our rural schools more prac-
tieal, more prosperous and more eff
cent.
First, the parents of the scholars
have an important portion of the
work to do. The child of the tender
age of four or five years should not
be allowed to attend school under any
conditions. In their tender limo
cence, in their hours when their mem
tai and moral faculties are In the
most plant state, they should remain
under the care and culture of the
parent and the home. If they are
sent to school and mingle with lot
of older scholars they will learn from
them rudeness, vicious and immoral
habits. They should be taught at
home the elements of reading, spell
ing, numbers, and many other things
that little tots should know. The
child needs physical growth at this
age rather than much mental. The
age of six and better seven is soon
enough for the child to go off to the
school room, there to sit hours on
hard seats, with only an occasional
brief exercise in an elementary book.
Don't ever send them to school to get
them out of the way, as | have heard
many parent say. Give them life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness
at home and not harass the teacher
with The care of them, until they are
old enough to unde rstand the lessons
assigned them.
Again, the parent should not criti-
else the teacher or say anything in
the cbild's presence, In blame or CEN
sure of the teacher, even If there
seems to be an occasion for 1t. Bet
ter, far better to speak kindly of the
teacher in the child's presence
and if any case needs special notice
seek the presence of the teacher and
get an explanation. The parents
/ should not fail to have their child at
/ tend the school every day and in good
season, unless severe storms or sick
ness should prevent. Encourage
them to be obedient to their teacher,
quiet and orderly in school, respectful
and courteous to schoolmates and
teacher. Teach them at home to be
truthful, mannerly, studious and
obedient. AS is the parent so is the
child, as is the child so will be the
school.
The second factor for the better
ment of our rural schools Is the
teacher. In order to have good work
done, 1t needs skilled and competent
workmen. In order to have a good
school it needs a good teacher. To
have better schools there should be
better teachers. Is there a teacher
in this or any town that has too much
skill and knowledge? Is there a
teacher that can say that she has all
the skill and preparation she would
/ like? OF course not. 1t is a self evil
dent fact then, that there is a need of
more skill, more preparation and
more knowledge in the work of teach
ing. Teachers lack fitness and train
t ing for the work in the school room.
Bro. w w. Stetson, our late State
Superintendent of schools once said
in State Pomona meeting, that 1.-THE
/ testimony of all persons who are ia
miliar with the facts are unanimous
upon the point that we have many
! teachers who are conspicuously unfit,
/ intellectually, educationally and pro-
fessionally, for the service they are at
| tempting to render" Now, while
our teachers may do as well as they
know, there are many who ought to
| fit themselves for the work or step
down and out. 1t is duty and obli-
cation that every one who expects to
teach a school, who aspires to be a
first class teacher to fit themselves
and become trained for the place.
They owe that obligation to them
selves and to the schools they teach.
They should attend some Normal
school so as to be thoroughly equip
ped and qualified for the teachers
profession, same as other vocations
and professions. We shall never see
our rural schools brought up to that
progressive position and efficiency
that they should be until the teaching
force is fully trained professionally
and educationally.
Should we get better teachers if we
paid better wages? We are not sure
of it. If we could get better teachers
we should pay them better prices
Pay the teacher according to the
value received. Pay her according
to her usefulness and efficiency in
the school room. / don't believe in
paying cheap teacher a high price
nor an exec llent and qualified teacher
a cheap price.
We want teachers that can and will
teach writing, called penmanship,