Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1910-08-24
THE RURAL SCHOOLS.
state Supervisor w. X. Tate Points
Out Their Greatest Needs.
TO the Editor of I ne State:

|
which IS being exhibit ed by the can
| didates for Office in South Carolina.
| Every candidate for Governor has
| expressed himself in no uncertain
terms as an advocate Of the upbuild-
| ing Of the common schools, and espe-
cial'y those OF the rural districts. AS
the reports Of the county campaigns
appear in the daily papers, these, too,
are filled with the expressions Of in
terest on the part Of the candidates
in the welfare Of the rural schools.
| believe that this interest is genuine
There has been exhibited, however, a
greater tendency to gcncraliZc on
the subject than to propose remedies
for conditions that would be improv-
ed. With view Of directing this
popular interest into definite chan
nclS Of discussion, | wish, from time
to time, to present to the press Of
the State few elements Of the situa-
ton to which, in my opinion, We
might all profitably turn our attcn-
ton.
AS have previously stated, my
own conclusions are tentative and
subject to revision. In order that my
work may have the benefit OF the
best thought of the State on the sub
jectS OF discussion. | should like to
receive copies Of papers containing
editorial expressions and the views
OF candidates for office, and should
be pleased to hear from the cduca-
tors and other citizens Of the State
the benefit Of their opinions.
Better Supervision Needed.
am fully convinced that the first
requisite to substantial Improvement
in the rural schools Of South Caro-
lima is better supervision. The great
est difference between the city school
and the country school in this State
lies in the better supervision Of the
former. Let us contrast the city OF
Columbia and her next door neigh
bor. the county Of Lexington In he
city Of Columbia, according to the
last report issued by the sup, rintrnd-
cnt, there are IS teachers and 3,3G1
pupils. In the county Of Lexington
there are 1872 teachers and S3@l
pupils. With the exception Of two
or three small towns, all OF these are
in country schools. The teachers Of
Columbia are most of them college
graduates, and have had years OF en-
pcriencc in a we'll organized system.
where the work OF each is definitely
arranged and limited in extent In
the rural schools OF Lexington cOun-
~ there is. according to the county
superintendent OF education, not a
single college graduate. These teach
crs have obtained their preparation
In the common schools and high
schools OF the county and State, and
their sole professional training has
been given in the short term summer
schools. More than half Of them
change schools every year. Recent
statistics, in fact, show that in tie
whole State 50 per cent OF the rural
teachers teach one year in Il rla"c.
These teachers must teach all grad rs
CT work, and with tho most mCa%er
material equipment The task OF he
rural teacher is infinitely more dill
cult than that Of the grade teacher in
the city school.
City vs.. County Supervision.
In the city Of Columbia there is a
superintendent OF schools who re-
ceivcS salary OF $4,000 per year
Each school has a principal who
gives part Of his time to SupcrNiS-
ion. There is a supervising principal
who gives especial attention to the
teaching Of the first three grades
There is Il supervisor Of manual train
ing. supervisor OF music, and a Su-
pcrNiSor OF sewing. In common with
other city schools OF the United
states, Columbia spends perhaps S
to 10 per cent Of its total school OK
| pcnditurcs for supervision.
In amy manufacturing or other
| business enterprise, it is a well cs-
tablishcd principle that the less the
| skill and experience OF the employee
| the more supervision is necessary.
In accordance with this principle. we
| should expect to find the schools Of
| Lexington county spending at least
- per cent for supervision. On the
| contrary, the total amount expended
for supervision in Lexington county,
| exclusive Of the two or three town