New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1910-11-12
EDUCATIONAL NEEDS

mere is Il 81 towing demand lpl
q more practical course of studN
in all educational instB vi ons
from the backWoOds school to IN,
most finished university Of she
world just the other day We plt
ted an instance where Oxford Tn
livcrslty. that noted English cd.
Iucailonal ms tuition. had decided
10 almost entirely elimhnatp Greek
and Latin from the curriculum.
substituting for these dead
languII $ something modern
and essential to the training Of the
young men who at end tha
school This is only one uf the
| many instances where educa ors
of the highest standing are be
ginning to realize the utter use
lpssneSs of these studies IN the
iull derel pmeut and training Of
the average boy or girl, aud they
are advocH ny the adoption pf
ihfh'N 'hul W III iiDlt tn'l'h0hlN
equip the average boy aud grl for
the active duties of life, Instead
of monopQlzing several years ol
their valuable time by ding dong
ing otlke irllls and tuehclows
nto the minds Of pupils that vii,
never have any practleal use for
such knowledge.
The public schools were estab-
lished for the purpose of giving TO
every boy aud gml IN tho lnnd
the rpdiments of I'm edueaibn,
without the frills and extras that
take mp time and money. and are
not Welding adequate returns in
educated men aud women. The
public schools were never iplend-
ed To eater To 1ne demands Of
tbs wealthy. The free-school is
the sehool of the poor man and
the man of moderate means, where
the pupils can at least be taught
the rudimrntst of eil educ;S ion.
We believe it'unfeir and unjust
ia spend the appropria ions or
publ ic schools IA an Qffat 10
teach pupils sonethlng that will
ba OF ia use to them in after life.
1t is a waste of money aud a
greiter waste Jof tna ,Iime and
energy OF ,he pupils. who should
be given every possible opportup-
ity to learn something that will
equip them for the active duties of
every day life. If the public
schools will see to II that al pu-
pills are li.grounded in the
'sthree r. with special and
thorough cormse in Engf;Sh and
contemporaNeeus history, Compel
ing the whole with course in
some practical hrasek,, such as
stepogranhy, bookkeeping. tele-
sraphy, or some equally useful
course, it will have accomplished.
what lts founders intended il
should be--a school fav the mas
SEES.
We have no objection to higher
education in all its branches.
Rather, we are glad to know that
there are so many educational in
that eater to the rich
and those who are ambitious. Our
contention is that Tine money ap-
propriated for publics school
should not be spent O. trying to
force pupils to equip themselves
For college work. Unfortunately.
Vt least 90 per cent of the pupils
who enter the public schools are
forced to quit after reaching the
seventh and Eighth grades. They
are needed at home in order to !
help support The other members
" the family. Father or Mother
are ineapacitated, or find it i'm
possible to earn enough TO keep
the "wolf from The d0pr," or
more often, one or the other par
ant Is dead and heavier daties |
and responsibilities are forced
upon the young girl II boy. whit
must leave school. fss than 10
per cent of the pupils finally !
and hardly | per cent. |
snter any college or higher insti |
tuition after leaving tho public |
school.
This being lirue. livery effort |
should be made to give the boy
md girl the very best advantages
hat it is possible 10 do before |
hey reach the eighth grade. Few |
'ver have any use for the faills |
md furbelows now tackled on TO |
he course. AS we remarked be- |
'ore, give the pupils the full ben
fit "f practical studies. see that |
hey are well-grounded in the
Of English. in ar.th
netic and spelling. with history |
md renmanslip and finish with
business course or speciality Of |,
some character. Tim. If the pu- |
Dil cares to continue the course.
provide some means for doing so |
without compelling the whole |
school to take up that course. |
Use the money now expended in |
Useless studies in giving the pu-
,ils a practical course, fitting |
hem for the actual course fitting
If duties hlhat face them when
hey leave the school ROOM
Monroe News-Star.