The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-07-24
NEEDED-A BETTER SCHOOL
SYSTEM.
by Prof. w. II. Hand, State High
School Inspector.


south Carolina an unvarnished state
ment Of some Of the most obvious de-
fects In our so-called system Of edu-
cation. to offer with becoming mod
1sty some suggestions as to remedies,
and above all else to provoke intel
iigent and sympathetic discussion of
our educational conditions. needs,
and possibilities. / do not expect that
all will agree with me fully in either
my diagnosis or my suggested rem
dies. IL i am wrong I'm either. 1 am
open tn conviction. and shall be CRATE
>ul for correction. However. when
ever know l am right. : am not
concerned about the opposing views
of any man OF set Of men. No one
be more content than !. If
~-ould arouse even through spirited
opposition some one to give us WE'LL
supported. well-orsanized. and eff
cient school system in this state.
We need accurate information. mo-
tivity. guidance. and courage In deal
iSx with this whole matter of educa-
WSn. Large numbers Of our people
are absolutely ignorant Of our actual
conditions. There are others who
have a general acquaintance with
these conditions but not sufficient def
mite knowledge to guide them safely
and wisely. Both of these classes
10st be truthfully informed before
sney can become either active or eff
fective In bringing about desirable
reforms. There are still others who
are reasonably well acquainted with
the situation and who realize the
need of reform. but who seem To lack
- COurage necessary to undertake
% tls a task as 90 reconstruct a sys-
tenn of education. These men de-
serve the encouragement and moral
support OF all patriotic citizens. Final
ly. there Is group of men ignorant
alike of our conditions and our needs,
0h blissfully content to oppose all
Efforts at Improvement These men
are not open To conviction. and IL is
but waste OF time To accord them
more than n courteous hearing when
they feel impelled to speak.
Not only have these articles been
VGtten for specific purpose. but
their publication has been timed to
appear at the opening OF the coun-
~ political campaigns throughout the
state. "A house of representatives
and one-half the senate are to be
elected this year. Fully two hun
dded men Will offer themselves as
Candidates to become our State law
makers, the makers OF our school
laws. IL Is safe to predict that fully
three-fourth< Of these candidates will
each have an educational plank In his
platform. and the other one-fourth
xQulG not dare deny that they had
- The people. the voters and their
families. would like to know Just
what that educational plank is. Ia
II the same old worthless plank so
many legislative candidates have
been telling US about for the past
twenty-five years--a glib utterance
glittering generaiities and high
soundins antiquities? The time has
s1rely come for candidates to give up
tneir vague. indefinite. and myster-
ious declarations about their devo-
ton to education liza the abstract and
% tell the people Ia plain terms what
fible plans they have To- increase
ne school revenues. to provide a bet
tor organized system Of education. and
a. make that organization effective.
The people are beginning To demand
iess vociferous stump oratory. fewer
vssue and specious promises. and
isere results. To be sure. respec-
Sbse number Of representatives go TO
sne legislature with well defined and
vell digested plans for the perma-
rtnt Improvement OF educational con-
lions. but they find themselves hope
iessly outnumbcred by men ignorant
- the needs of the schools. those in
ferent to the needs and those
Wholly unable To- cope with the situ-
zion.
IL Is not extravagant to say that
south Carolina needs nothing more
tnan II needs constructive cducation-
statesmanship. n system of ed
y1tion In any modern democracy
q ais orsanically with every phase Of
stitutlonal life. II deals not only
tn the things Intellectual hut with
tie things morai. social political. and
economic. Taken a Il whole. our peo-
- have ample educational cnthu-
l,t -. much 49,, 4, A. .t.l.. ..