Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1915-08-20

(By W. r. Dodson. Head Of the De
partment Of History and Govern
meut. Southeastern State Normll
school. Durant. Oklahoma)
The six Normal Schools OF Okla,
homa. led by the state Suporntond
ent, Hon. r. II Wilson, are entering
upon a campaign for betsr rural
schools and better rural conditions
There are many ways I'm which the
public can serve the rural community
besides teaching books and doius
sohoolroom work. a teacher who
wishes 20 do the most for lhe rurat
community (and no other kinc e.
worthy of the name). will look the
situation over and decide upon some
line OF outside activity. rho are
many lines from which to choose.
among which are: Corn clubs can
ming clubs. thrift clubs, better roads
clubs. moonlight schools for the ed
ucation of the illiterates, the school
as a social center. library clubs and
others too numerous to meution
Rural School Improvement Commits
sion Organized.
At the suggestion of state Slpe--
inteudent Wilson. each Normal
School president appointed a ran in
his faculty to take up this -ork in
his Normal School District. These
men met in Oklahoma City f9w
weeks ago and organized AID started
the machinery going. Prof. ~ +.
Wood. OF Edmond, was chosen pres
ident: Prof J. f. Barton, OF Tahle-
quah. as secretary, and with W T. I
Dodson. of Durant. l.. S. stephens of
weatherford. A. L. Fenton. Of Ada
and b. A. Herod. of Alya, as mem-
bers. Hon r.. II. Wilson. ex-officio
chairman.
4 Great Work To Re Done.
The task set before this commits
sion is to give the boys ana girls CT
the rural community an equal show
ing with the boys and girls OF th J
city and town. The following facts
will convince any thinking person
that something should be done
In oklahoma there are 5S5.134
children of school age. OF these go
per cent live in the rural communi'
ties. or $4,000 children who Must
S,tend the ru "a schools, IL any, while
the balance. 40 per cent. or 224 ,I34.
have the Opportunity of attending |
the city or town schools. We find |
also that the country child has an
opportunity to attend school only l02
days each year. and in the maioii'y
cs cases TO an unframed and unskill- |
eG teacher. while the city chill has
the opportunity TO attend 150 days,
and generally TO trained and eNper-
fenced teacher. We also find Thar on
" a. per cent of the money spent Cor
education in the public schools goes
20 the country schools, whila ~ per
com goes 10 the city AMI town
schools Not only this. but the child
OF the city and town schools en'ovs
mode schoo buildings. well light
81 ventilated. heated. and equipped
W'lh libraries and labora.) iol 60,
s~eehing the sciences. all KEEP. in the
best sanitary condition. These arc
gdil eunded by beautiful ,aw as ana
Ilowars, and e'c-ything to make the
srhool q desirable place; white to be
contrasted with this Is the rural
school building in a dilapidated con-
lition. in many cases without paint
either inside or out. with no furr'-
tnre except few benches and a Ia
BILE and chair for the teacher, and
few square feet of blackboard. At
the same time weeds and brush sur
round the building in many instan-
ces. until 1t looks like a wilderness.
The conditions are not very inviting
and not at all conducive to education
To relieve such conditions as DE-
scribed above is the purpose Of the
Rural School Commission. and the
plan of operation Is as follows
A whirlwind campaign will baSin
on Sunday. November 14th, on which
day sermon on the rural school
movement will be expected from ey-
cry pulpit in the State, from the hish-
est TO the lowest This Sunday all
be designated EdUcationt Sunday,
ana tba roinistrv sc expected TO sta't
the whirlwind campaign in good
form. On Monday. November 15tn
Wln De the first Rally Day. On this
day every rural school viii be expect
ed to invite school boards and clti-
zeRs. and everyone in the commun-
Ety To he present at the school. Have
= proFraps made under the advice a7d
with the cooperation Of the County