Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-03-03

The local school district is begin
ming to realize that local effort on its
part in special taxation will bear
abundant fruit in more satisfactory
community life and increased land
values. The most marked progress
which has characterized South Caro-
lima during the past two years has
been the increase In school districts
levying special taxes. The legislature
In the year 1910 raised the limit of spe-
cial levy from four to eight mills.
There are still, however, more than
1000 school districts in South Carolina
which depend solely on the county fund
for school support.
Better Buildings.
There Is a constant improvement in
the character Of the rural school build
ings. In many sections Of the country
the old box car type Of building has
passed away and has been replaced by
a beautiful structure thoroughly
adapted to school purposes and ap-
pealing to the pride and aesthetic taste
OF cultured community. The influ-
ence Of one such building frequently
spreads over a whole county and tends
to lift all school architecture in the
county to higher level. While there
are still thousands Of miserable novels
In South Carolina which are used for
public schools, we are developing these
foci which will eventually bring us to
better day. While we still have thou
sands Of schools devoid Of all appli-
ances for instruction, there Is marked
tendency to better school equipment.
Consolidation of Schools.
We are beginning to realize that it is
impossible for one teacher to teach In
a satisfactory manner all the subjects
Of the elementary school course. 1t Is
impossible for her to have thirty or
forty recitations per day and give to
the students a good quality of instruc-
tion. We are realizing also that the
social element plays a large part in
school interests, and that the larger
school attracts the pupil and furnishes
him incentives for study not possible
in the one teacher rural school. The
more progressive sections Of the United
States have learned to consolidate
these small schools into schools en-
ploying three or more teachers In
which gradation and classification of
pupils are possible. In order to facil-
itate the consolidation Of schools such
communities frequently transport the
more distant pupils by wagon, and thus
insure regularity and punctuality in at
tendance and freedom from the hard
ships Of inclement weather, which are
such an obstacle to rural school at
tendance. While these consolidated
schools with the conveyance Of pupils
are somewhat more expensive than the
school Of the old type, the cost per
days attendance is not much higher
and the results have always justified
the expense.
A Better Course Of Study.
We are just beginning to realize that
the course of study for the rural school
should tend to preparation for life on
the farm, and should not In its ideals
entice the pupil away from the coun-
try. We are learning more and more
to use the material around us as the
basis for our instruction. The good
country school now opens the eyes OF
it's pupils to rural resources and ad-
vantages. Nature study and agricul-
ture introduce him to the principles
of successful farming. The Boys Corn
club and similar movements give prac-
tical demonstration Of farm methods
and results BY actual accomplish
ment in the field rather than by the
vaporings of the stump the boy Is being
convinced that the farmer Is worthy to
stand upright on his feet and look the
whole world in the face, proud In the
knowledge that his profession Is the
bulwark Of the state.