, 1916-01-01
SCHOOL FACTS AND METHODS IN
DENMARK.

In "Chriatian Educator" Of Dec. 1915 %
periodical published Mt TNkoma Park, Wash
iugton, d. G. by Prof. ", L. Howell is found
the following statements regarding the edu-
cation of the people of Denmark =
Only one person in one thousand IS unable
to read and write, rs compared with seven
out of every one thousand in the United
States. OF 260, 900 Danish children Of
school age, only $40 failed TO attend school
during the year 1911. These AM other sig
niicnnt facts nre brought ont by w. Il.
Foght, of the United STAGES Bureau of Edu~
cation. Mr.. FoSht recently visited Drn-
mark to make per sonal Investigations con
corning school conditions, aud has pubfistlece
the results IN % bulletin. Compulsory atteu-
dance upon school between the ages of
seven and fourteen is so strictly eItolce6
in Denmark that "the few who persist is
avoiding theft legal responsibilities ale pun
ished 30 severely that they are glad enough
to change their minds"
According to Mr.. Foght, the Danish schools
are run six days in the week, giving at
least 246 school days to the year. The peo-
pie are 50 imbuad with the value Of ednca-
ton that they will 60 to any extremity to-
keep children in school.
School life is made attractive by giving
q large place to popular songs. ''AIl teachers,
says Mr.. Foght, "must be able to instruct
in music whether they can sing or not. Che
teacher almost invariably accompanies the
songs with a violin, winch all teachers know
how to use"
School music includes patriotic, religious
aud folk songs. Danish schools do mol us"
a spelling book. Spelling is Taught MS {"
part of the reading process. Grammar IL
likewise taught largely through "dolnS, ~
Mr.. Foght expresses it. ''Dlctatiou is gwen
from some classic; this is then Analysed, an1
rules Of grammer are applied as needed"
The Bible is strongly emphasized III all the
schools.
Children at school wear slippers, and the
girls wear 4lio,t blopmerllke skirts, IN their
physical exercises, which have q proninen0
place in even the rural schools of Denmark,
the peculiar dress Of the girls serves them
we'll in giving freedom of movement. NJ.
Foght says tina the secret of Denmark's
high place III educational affairs lies in tbs
hold which the teacher has upon the entlre,
people. Every teacher is Il professional
teacher. The salaries are~smong-the high
est given TO any class of workers. Teachers
houses with valuable pieces of land attached
are furnished ia addition to the already
liberal salaries Teaching ls, from every
standpoint, made honorable III Denmark
The teacher has high, social ranking, IL
a leader in both Church and State, and IS
invariably pensioned for disability or age
Teachers so thoroughly furnished and work
ing under such happy conditions very n"tu-
rally exemplity a high order of teaching. Mr..
Foght says: The Danish teachers draw
upon their broad, general reading ano ex--
perience for much of the Glass room material,
instead Of depending upon Textbooks to
furnish everything required" Thus pratioe
tends toward greater efficiency.
The above article shows the interest that
Denmark has iii its people. Danish West
Indies need the motherly and we'll directed
cooperation of tie Home Government i'll the
education of native talent.
+. HALL.
P,tcfnr