The farmer and mechanic., 1912-07-30

N&~%N$NMS< =
REV. GEORGE w. LAY.
thusiasm and results 1t is a story
that has often been tod, and that will
bear repetition.\It has been a matter
accounts of this glorious work to
papers and individuals ir distant
parts of the country, but as st. Paul
would have Us do, let us now forget
those things ;nat are behind. and
with eyes to the future press towards
the mark, determined 10 make a.
even better record in the years that
are to come If We would do our
duty, and win the best success we
must have divine discomfort with
things that are to be will be better
be better than things as they were,
and we must determine that the
things that are TO be will bet better
year by year. l would like to en-
phasize two things that are essential
to the improvement OF our state edu-
cation.
Better pay should be provided for
our teachers, especially for those in
the lower grades where by far the
| larger number of our children get
all the education they will ever have
|
be secured than for $50. Furthermore
as Governor kitchin once said at a
meeting Of the Teachers Assem- bly,
| the $50 teachers becomes a better
| teacher the moment that the salary
changes from $50 to $40. The av-
erage teaching life, ! understand. is
four years l will not say that the
better individuals do not undertake
the work Of teaching, but I will ven
| ture to say that the meagre salaries
do not attract those who by any pos
! sibiHty can secure higher remunera-
| ton in another calling and that as a
result, we have as teachers in many
| cases, those who cannot secure any
other means Of livelihood, and who
are unified for any permanent call
ing, and who, therefore, take up
teaching only temporarily. The sal
aries ought to he sufficient to secure
and retain the services Of those who
| wish to become permanently profess
! Slonal teachers. so that it would not
be true that one-fourth Of our teach
ers IN any one year lack previous ac-
tive experience. 1t Is also impor-
ton of our larger boys be more in
the hands Of men, and this cannot
De secured to any great extent on
the present meagre basis. The in
; \duence of women on boys of all ages
and on grown men is most civilizine
and refining, but the complete edu-
! cation OF our larger boys requires in
innate association to a certain extent
with those who will teach them BY
) example, as we'll as by precept, tt
, grow into real men. | consider the
, question Of increased pay for the
i teachers is without doubt the mos
important at the present time for The
best development of our educationa
policy in North Carolina
: The other point whose importanc,
/ would emphasize is the absolut
necessity Of a uniform system Of ex
amfnatfons for the whole state. Their
are occasions where certificates ar
r doubtless necessary. but I conside
1 the certificate system, so universe
(, with us, to be the curse Of all rea
education in the South. Under tn
: present system, the teacher of an ad
e Vanced class or institution must o
u necessity accept those scholars VIII
e are sent up to him on the say-so o
e the teacher below. There are
g large number Of different kinds o
e schools and differing standards in tn
d State. There can be no uniformit
n of standard under the present system
n nor can teacher or school superin
It tendent by any possibility ascertai
r clearly and definitely where his elias
1, STANDS With reference to any give
e standard. l am not a WOrShipper @
, examinations, and I would willingl
y acQuiesce in the admission by cert
" ficate of one who had failed on ey
III III animation; am l1a ion; provided the class as
lie amined as to furnish some criterio
ct as to the standard Of instruction
l. Both certificates and examination
~ should be required for promotion
is and the examinations 1or give
al grade should be the same for all tn
t schools in the state, and the paper
r should be made out, and the exam
th hv axnert teachers, who had nothin
a a ps to dop do with teaching this class, an an
n who would therefore mark the pape,