The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1911-09-05
SOME COMMENTS on THE
PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEA

Our PUBIC ScnoOl system IL tHe most
important stone in the foundation of
our civilization. More than any other |
one or probably two or three things. |
IL Is the cause of this country taking
the foremost place among the nations
Of the earth.
Prussia once stood foremost in edu-
cation. and the schools Of that coun- |
try are probably more systematic than
that of any other country in the
world; but leading educators OF other
countries say that the Prussian school
system has become too weighty and
elaborate and burdens the mind OF the
average scholar instead Of developing
Ii. The appalling proportion OF in
sanity and suicide among Prussian
children Is quoted by scientific men in
support of this statement
The Star fears that American
schools, those of Florida not excepted.
are having a tendency toward over
study. but they cannot be charged
with an undue amount of system In
fact, the system is so deficient that
while one scholar has no more than
an opportunity to acquire the rudi-
ments of education, another is work
ed almost to death in keeping up with
his studies. Our country schools are
fnadequately equipped and their
teachers are i'll paid They do not
have as long terms Of school as the
children need. On the other hand,
scholars in the higher grades, par
ticularly of the high schools. have too
many studies, and id order to keep up
with their classes, they must study
not only in school but at home, and
often far into the night. There are
some studies, particularly in the high
schools, that should not be taught in
public school. For one thing, they
are almost entirely useless, when &C
lquired, to the average man or woman;
for another, 1t is almost Impossible
for the young man or woman whose
parents are not comparatively we'll to
do to find time for them: consequently,
many scholars drop out of school as
soon as they pass the lower grades.
The lower grades, which nearly all
enter, suffer by being denied the use
of the money spent on the higher
ones, which comparatively few can
enter and pass. 1t is the tendency Of
our high schools to teach some things
parents should not expect their child
rem to learn at the expense of the
state.
For this. the teachers as a class, are
responsible. They are naturally am
bilious and like to turn out the finish
ed product. They have loaded on our
public school system studies that are
comparatively easy to the bright boys
and girls whose parents are able to
let them devote full time to their
studies, but are an impossible OBJ
stacle to the sons and daughters of
poorer men and women.
While this line, we reproduce
part of an article from Dixie. dealing
with this subject in its usual thorough
and emphatic way. The article fol
lows:
"SchOOl Days"
In a few days the coors of the
school houses provided by the people
Of Florida for the instruction of the
children of Florida will be thrown
open.
The expenses of these schools are
net by taxes levied on all the people
who pay them cheerfully, in spite OF
the abstract injustice of requiring ONT
man to pay for the education of an
other mans children because of tn.
patriotic impulse in the hearts of mer
living in a free country that prompts
them to make personal sacrifices TO
the advancement of the common good
Education being universal need
it's application must be universal [
every man was equal to his neighbo
in property, in thrift and in earnins
power universal education would b
accomplished by individual action Blu
men can never be equal in fortune a
long man is a free agent acting &C
cording to his own will through TIL
italents supplied him by the Creator.
Unless public education does in fac
bring knowledge to every one of tn
people, the theory OF public educatio
cannot stand the test of public ap
prevail. People cannot. in justice. b
asked to make sacrifices for the com
mon good unless they are shown tina
the fruits of their sacrifice are uni
versally applied.
With the ringing of the school be
in Florida, it is the duty of the board
OF public instruction to answer thes
questions that are in the minds an
hearts of the people of Florida:
Has every child of school age i
your county been provided with a sea
in the public schools?
Have enough teachers been provi6
ed to give each child daily instructio
and direct personal supervision?
Are the best methods of instructio
employed in the schools in your cour
ty?
Are the children given daily tasl
in accordance with their ability to a.
complish them?
Are the school rooms properly vel
tilated, lighted, heated and cooled?
Are the seats comfortable?
Are necessary conveniences for II
comfort of pupils provided and pro-
erly looked after?
Have the children room to play. ar
time. equipment and instruction give
them to exercise this primal right
childhood?
Are the buildings safe, clean al
roomy?
Are precautions taken to provi
against the danger to life and limb
case of fire or panic?
Has each child an equal chance wi
every other child in school?
For the correct answer to the que
tions the people of Florida will no
the public's servants in charge of L
peoples schools responsible
The things covered by these que
tions are elementary. They must
looked after FIRST.
The peoples money must be used
provide these necessities. even at I
sacrifice of what is known as high
education.