Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-06-21

made In certain COlullluHiliSs, nhSiS Y
the term has been heightened, the rev.
enues have increased and teachers
salaries have shown symptoms OF ad-
vancing. But 1t needs no argument OF
Ian Aristotle, no eloquence or De-
Imosthenes, no geometrical solution OF
the Pythagorean theorem to demon
strate that it has not kept pace with
other educational agencies, and that II
| Is lamentably wanting in efficiency,
and vitality. All over the country
comes this same complaint. The rural
schools are not responding effectively
and so satisfactorially to the demands
made of them. They are not meeting
desired conditions of rural llfe. Inc
upon the part of many parents to give
, their children the full benefit OF even
| this short term, the excessive and
needless irregular attendance of many
other children, the lack OF sympathy
of the patrons with the teachers In
their efforts to advance the education
of their children, the lack of suitable
buildings and equipments, the insani-
tary conditions, the isolation, the
small salaries Of teachers, the conse-
quent unframed and inexperienced
teaching force, the inadequate super
vision, the congested course OF study,
in short, the universal inefficiency-
| are all counts In the indictment which
are truthfully charged against the ru-
raj schools.
II needs no argument to show that
we are up against gnarled problem
in our rural schools. The major per
cent of our population Is still In the
country If our country population Is
to be saved from the handicap Of IL
literacy, it must largely be accom-
plished through the agency of the ru-
raj school. If there Is to be an intel
|ligent electorate qualified to solve the
subtle problems of government to dis
charge the intricate responsibilities of
social civil, moral and religious citi-
zenship; there must be a more eff
cient rural school The greatest foe to
social, civil, moral and religious ad-
vancement Is ignorance. The highest
obstacle IN the way to the removal Of
this foe is the inefflciency Of our ru-
raj schools. The only way to sur
mount this gigantic obstacle and re-
move this menacing foe that threatens
to destroy our country life and engulf
the whole state socially, civilly, moral
ly and religiously in common ruin is
to educate to point Of concerted effort
to remove the foul stigma of inefh-
cheney from the rural school. This in
efficiency must be removed. The ru-
raj districts must be resuscitated and
vitalized. The future Of the state, Its
manhood and womanhood, depend
upon 1t.
In the rural school, we insist, Is our
vital educational problem. Here is the
educational agency deserving and de-
manding the most interest, thought
and vigorous activity of our leading
educators. Let them by a determined
effort focus the attention of our people
men and women, fathers and moth
ers, rural and urban, upon the solu-
tion of this rural school problem, to
the solution of our greater country
problem.
Let it not be thought that this is a
matter that concerns only people who
live in the country. The prosperity
of our urban population Is, If not
be, If not equally, truly interested. The
cities cannot live independent of the
country. They draw many Of their
best citizens from the rural districts.
The complexion of city life Is con-
ditioned on rural environment. So
that we need have no array Of city
against the country, or vice versa
when we make a plea to focus
|strategetic center of our educational
interest. We are pleading only that
our country boys and girls shall enjoy
educational facilities and advantages
equal only to their urban cousins.
Of what advantage is 1t to smash an
institution, a system, though 1t be but
an inemcient means to a proposed end,
to filters, if we have nothing better
to substitute for 1t, or to suggest to
improve its operation?
4 I rt,in no n
objectionable presumption in me
should l venture to offer q few sug-
gestions-suggestions not at large, but
in particular as applicable to the
Bethany High School as a center Of
a rural school district. This Is To-
cation that is most favorablv situated
as a rural educational center. 1t Is
most healthy locality. 1t Is thickly
populated. 1t has fertile soil. 1t Is
far removed from the temptations and
vices of many other localities. So that
it may be truthfully said. 1t is an ideal
location for rural school. But an
ideal location Is not enough to insure
an efficient school. A densely popu-
enough to meet the educational de-
mands of a community. Let me then
make the following suggestions:
(a.) Let the trustees and patrons Of
the Bethany High School call a meet
ing to consider ways and means Of
increasing the efficiency OF the school,
and invite their neighboring commu-
mites as follows: The Hero school,
the Santiago school, the Dixie school,
the Fairview school, and the Cross
Road school. None of these Is, l sup
pose, more than three miles distant
from Bethany school buildings.
(b.) Let some one make talk set
ting forth the feasibility, the desira-
bility, and the efficiency Of school
work thus made practicable by such
a confederation with this end in view.
(c.) That 1t Is entirely feasible let
the following facts argue:
Bethany has an enrolment Of from 75
to 100 pupils-say ........75 pupils.
Hero has enrolment Of. ..... AS pupils.
Santiago has enrolment Of. AT pupils.
Dixie has enrolment of ...37 pupils.
Fairview has enrolment Of. 80 pupils.
Cross Roads enrolment Of. .25 pupils.
Total ......... 1853 pupils.
Bethany has an appropriation per
month of say months. ...... $4,000
Hero or say .............-..... 6O.OO
Santiago of say ................ $500
Dixie of say NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 5000
Fairview Of say ................ 1000
Cross Roads of say ...... ...... 1000
Total per month NATURALIZATION
(d.) Then let the confederated dis
trict vote a three mill tax on them
selves to supplement the county funds.
(e.) Then let the entire district unite
to equip themselves with such build
ings and furnishing as will comforta-
bly, accommodate your children and
tend to promote their education.
f) Then petition the state board