Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-16
Education IN Ireland.

OMAHA, Dec. H.-To the Editor Of The
Bee: If Miss Kate McHugh is not mis-
quoted, she certainly makes, In her inter-
view to The Bee December II, very mis-
leading statements about elementary educs-
ton in Ireland. ] feel 1t a duty 70 my a ma
so to speak. to correct the erroneous
and damaging impression made on your
readers by the publication Of her views,
1t appears that Miss MeHugh visited only
one town in Ireland, Belfast. the stronghold
of orangism and Professionalism. Yet she
is quoted as saying hat 'her heart was
broken in Ireland" because Of the poor
school system. That the Irish national
schools ARE poor and she doubts If a child
graduating from them can read a news
paper"
Let me assure Miss McHugh that she is
very sadly mistaken, The best way to
Judge a system is by its results.
1t is true that the Irish nave not the
magnificent school buildings. lavishIy and
luxuriantly equipped, that we have in this
country, where each pupil has his or her
own desk with a back TO It," etc. Yet In
many respects the system in the national
schools of Ireland is better, thai in this
country with all our advantages. I got my
elementary education in the Irish national
schools. So successful was the system that
many boys In my class, myself included,
were studying. as extra subjects, at the
ages of IL and Is years, Latin, Greek and
French, and we had already mastered the
usual course in algebra and geometry.
These extra subjects were voluntary. The
teacher, being an excellent classical scholar,
was permitted by the management to teach
them at convenient hours before and after
regular school hours. ria was away back
in 1872 and the system has been much i'm
proved since then. Yet Miss McHugh
doubts whether a graduate from those
schools can read a newspaper. Save the
mark!
One feature of the system which produces
such results and in which it excels the sys-
tenn of this country is the "home lessons"
which the pupils have to study at home
for each day. In the home work from four
to six Iong lessons in the higher grades
have to be studied out of school hours.
1t used TO be an exhilarating sight 20
witness the vim with which the pupils st )od
around each morning in the recitation Of
those lessons, each anxious 70 get to the
head Of the class and obtain highest marks.
! would give a good deal If a class from an
average school in Ireland could be placed
side by side with a class of the same age
and grade from an average public school
In this city and examined in. say three of
the most essential subjects-spelling, gram
mar and arithmetic. Miss McHugh. with
her kindly Irish name and heart, would be
heart broken" for her Omaha schools
rather than the Irish as q result of such
a contest. l know whereof I'm talking. be-
cause l have had years OF experience of
both schools.
The Irish system Of yearly inspection OF
the resultant work OF each school and
grade, especially as to the promotion OF
pupils from grade TO grade. is superior. II
is more practical and thorough, more of a
real test. Another superior feature in Irish
schools is the regular examination which
the teachers themselves must undergo in
order 10 obtain higher grade certificates,
which are Necessary for promotion in the
ranks
But the most superior advantage OF al
is: The Irish schools are not in the hands
OF the politicians. The school system IL a
department OF the civil service. By a VERY
common-sense arrangement with the dif.
ferent churches, the state gives a fair field
and no favor 10 each church. The churcr
and state work in partnership, mutually
assist each other. are al once a spur and
check TO each other. therepg prsveatinE the
exploitation OF foolish fads and foibles, and
their schools turn out graduates who are
not only ~intsligent citizens Of the state
but well fortified b. religious training e
fight the moral battles OF life and attain
their eternal citizenship In heaven. No d.
Vorce. social evil or race suicide over n
Ireland. P. J. JUDGE.
Pastor Sacred Heart Church.
il is An easy matter 10 DO bushes,