The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-02-02

schools three years ago was $4,000;
last session il was 1882. The num-
Der OF teachers three years ago was
395: last session there were 5I2 teach
ers in the public schools of Rich
mond.
Possibly one Of the most important
steps taken in the work of the public
school system was the Inauguration
of the John Marshall night high
school in October, 1911. In this school
there are now enrolled 7I2 pupils
The work Is of three kinds: G) Aca-
demic work for culture and improve
ment, I'D commercial work, looking
toward business and (3) work in
household arts. for young women
Among the notable additions to the
public school system of Richmond
was the introduction of vacation
schools, in July, 1911 These schools
were continued in 1912 and had an
enrolment OF 494 pupils. BY means
or these schools a number of back
ward and retarded children have been
advanced in their school work
Medical Inspection.
Probably the most notable addi-
ton to the public school system has
been the Introduction of medical in
spection under two physicians and
five trained nurses The report OF
the medical director for the first year
OF the work session 1911-1912)
shows that about 10000 children were
examined, land as a result, more than
219o pupils were treated for troubles
Whlcn mad gone unnoticed by the
parents. Particularly has much been
done in the treatment of eye, ear,
nose and throat troubles, and in de-
tecting all tendencies toward tuber-
culosis. AS an outcome OF the medi-
cal work Richmond Is about to go to
the open air school system for amaze
mic children.
Richmond needs TO establish yoca-
tonal schools. giving two or three
YEARS course nj instruction to boys
ana girls IN the industries in which
Richmond employers are particularly
interested, In these schools should
be- taught the subjects bearing on
each vocation directly and culturally,
SO that our young people may be pre-
pared for citizenship equally as well
as they would be through a high
school course
Eventually. these schools should be
used for day continuation schools and
TOR night SCHOOLS. OF couRse, In the
day continuation school the instruc-
uon would he more direct and APP
pied TO the specific trades in which
the apprentices would be engaged
These continuation schools should
also DC open 10 Workmen OF any age
Tor such work as would help to make
them better workmen and more use
full citizens.
3 A City of Culture.
In concluding this article it is but
fair to say that the people of Rich
mond have never neglected the cul-
tural side Of education, and in all
parts Of the country the business and
professional men of this city ar4
known as men of culture and refine-
ment. On the other hand, Richmond
mas not yet taken a position among
the great cities of the country In its
industrial output Many cities Of our
country claim that their industrial
growth has been due largely to the
type OF education given In their pub
lie schools. The school officials desire
tnat the city Of Richmond shall con-
tlnue the high type of education that
the schools have been giving, so that
the citys reputation for culture and
refinement shall be sustained, but d
the same time shall introduce tt
new type of education which
tend to, advance the industrial i:
teTests Of the city. AT the presen
fime the city is relying upon the Virs
ginia Mechanics institute. which now
has IAN enrolment OF about 500 nu-