The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-20
STATE EFFICIENCY.
Success Of Australis's Military and
Educational systems.

/ ~ II TsDIIOh UT va
Henry Kelly's letter In THE Sun OF
February l2 on reforming the schools
Is the first expression OF a statesman
| like idea on the subject that ! have read
from the pen Of an American. His
| criticisms OF existing inefficient condi-
lions are well founded. The plan OF
reform outlined by Mr.. Kelly has been
In successful practice in Australia since
1874. In that country the schools are
outside the range Of politics and are
managed by n commissions OF educa-
ton whose tcnure IL permanent. The
state builds the schools and pays the
teachers according to the grade OF GER
, tiiicate which they hold. They are re-
Ouired TO work In whatever city or VII
lage they may be assigned to by the
state. The teacher In the renfotest VIII
lage receives Ia much pay ~ a
teacher holding the same certificate In
the largest city. The curriculum II
alike in every state school. Every school
Is visited periodically by an inspector.
WIN examines every pupil, and the
teacher receives an additional com
pensation based upon the percentage or
pupils passing the examinations n
eachers themselves are an
nually and promoted or denoted accord
ing to the results. In all communities
where suitable residences may not be
i SIkt NlS " ~
residences. There are villages with n
state school and teachers residences
having only half a score OF pupils. but
in these email places the teacher may
act as postmaster and In some instances
az railroad station master. for In Aus
tralia all the railroads, telegraph and
telephones belong 10 the state. and part
OF the salary Of a competent axre-
rienced teacher may BE- debited 10 the
snatt tntuvnnh nj tn tho fillrOH0
department.
The purpose Of instruction In Aus
traiian state schools 10 20 provide an
education suitable for pupils to be en-
gagged in productive pursuits. Having
passed all the prescribed grades. the
final examination Ii known as the civil
service examination. upon passing when
a certificate IL issued which IL accepted
In Australia as evidence OF al cduca-
ton emitting the holder 70 enter any
business, or 20 he eligible for any posi-
ton for which the holder may be fitted
In the public service. Neither IIatin
nor any foreign language Is taught. and
no effort H. made TO it the pupils Tor
the professions, except that tho teach
ers may instruct In extras AFTER
school hours. and are permitted tn
charge fees for surh instruction. which
will enable any pupil 80 desiring 10
take the annual matriculation eNa'n'na :
ton for the State University. which is
free only to Winners of scholarships. The
practical Australians do not eNpend TN"
public moneys to increase unduly the
non-producers. but insist that every
child shall have az far rs possible
equally competent teachers and equal
advantages. My observation Is that the
young Australians are better instructed
on tho average than young Americans.
They study fewer subjects but learn
those subjects quite thorouEhll.
In each school district the citizens
elect an unpaid Board of Advice
which. while having no authority over
the teachers or schools. is expected To
advise the Department Of Education on
local needs and matters II efficiency az
non. efficiency OF tho local teaching
stan. That no important amendment
has been made in forty years To- the
laws relating to state schools indicates
that the system IL satisfactory. and sine.
military instruction was added a feW
years ago the discipline OF the pupils
and the character of the graduates have
greatly improved.
Many among us are advocating the
Australian system Of military instruc-
ton. W. could. | think. do no better
than adopt In its entirety the Australian.
:, hool system for educating It's citizens
for civil life and national defence. Here
IT. a commonwealth In tts sixteenth year,
having a population no larger than tna'
/ Of Ohio and covering a territory almost
+, as large as the United States. that was
. able to send 1850, 600 soldiers. trained
; and fully equipped. 10 the Dardanelies
during the recent fighting there, and is
: now training and arming additional men
|, besides owning two armored cruisers
, and several sunboats.
Australians would not submit to son
= sCription. for they are more democrats
than We ur, but the state school sys-
= TEN makes every man a defender with
r out Interruption or interference VIII
Z business ana without burdensome ex
I pcnSe. The military training III IN,
. state schools puts the finishing touch
on their work ~ delivering 10 the com
9 monWeslth succeeding generations u!
we'll instructed, patriotic and disc.
0 pinned citizens.
r In Australia the police are also an,
I ~sclutely above the control OF politicians
Y The state policeman goes where ne T.
= =, nj, ami Is paid according To his grade
Z whether In the back country or ih'
I city. No local governing bod.rs nor ary
y OF their officials have the slightest au'
= thority over the police force. The law
. are enforced AZ effectively in small a.
I IN large communities and the who'll
power Of the police department is n
tn. instant service. If the smallest VII
lage IN the State.
Australians are no more honest thar
Americans. but they have devised law
. which have prevented graft In state mn,
municipal tnairs. They pension IN. Old
pay maternity bonuses support. tie in
!, curably sick, have state "whet vol,
:, storas. plants ant have a scarcity @
y mllliontircs and p1upsrS.
= Possibly the existence of IN" excel