The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1908-11-19
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The NEEDS FOR RURAL IMPROVE ,
MENT ASSOCIATIONS.

Read before the Williamsburg County Teachers
association. Saturday November ., l9S.

hope Of the State is not IN the cities
and big towns, but that the hope OF
the greatest future is dawnlng in
the rural districts. Of course, there
can be no doubt as to the truth of
this statement, for by far the great
er number of the children of our
State are being educated in the
country. Furthermore. statistics
show that where the people of rural
districts have been aroused to real
ization of the Importance of univer-
sal progress along educational lines;
where they have been brought to
see the necessity for placing in their
schools better facilities for health,
comfort and education, together
with objects of beauty, the results
have been almost marvellous.
Now, the question Is, through
what agency has this state of affairs
been brought about in these districts:
Certainly, there can be no doubt
th a: much of it has been accomplish
ed through 1.-THE Rural Improve
ment Associations. And, now,
the subject which l wish to bring
before you is the needs for such an
organization in all rural districts.
AS is implied above, perhaps our
greatest need is a deeply rooted pub
lie sentiment for better school hous-
es, better equipment for them and
more beautiful grounds. In fact,
many of our rural districts need to
learn that the really beautiful is the
really useful.
In the successful organization,
where at least all of the parents are
members, one of the greatest, or per.
haps the greatest, difficulty of the
rural teacher is overcome; for no
sooner than the parents realize that
fSey are united for the common bet
terment and upbuildiug of the edu.
cstional cause, is it that the teacher
can feel sure of their interest and
cooperation in the great work that
she has undertaken for them. Even
if this were the only result that
could be had from such an organlza-
ton, the rural teacher would feel
amply rewarded;but this, so to speak,
is only the "Open Sesame" to what
might follow.
Of course, the teacher must take
the lead in this work and must nec-
essarily feel the enthusiasm which
should be expressed, ELSE there would
be little hope to inspire such feel
ing in others.
Let us look for moment at the
condition of affairs in the average
rural school. The school house IS
usually uncomfortably small, not
ceiled, furnished with straight back
uncomfortable benches and even
these are often so high that the lit
tie folks have to sit for hours with
out ever having their feet touch the
floor. In fact, everything connect
ed with such school Is not only
uncomfortable but absolutely unat-
tractive. Now, how can there be
any hope for better things educa'
tionally as long as such conditions
exist?
1t may at first seem quite an un-
dertaking to attempt to put a COM
Portable and attractive school build
ing in place of the old one, but'wlth
the cooperation Of all concerned, 1t
is wonderfully easy to give various
kinds of entertainments by which
sufficient funds can be raised. There
need be no fear that these entertain
ments Will not prove a success, Tor
there are few things that appeal to
a really interested body of patrons