The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1916-03-03
Night Schools and Illiteracy.


ranks of illiterates and deci-
mating their numbers, both in
South Carolina and other states, i
has been abundantly demonstra-
ted. A more popular practical
method of education could not
have arisen with a more definite
compelling need. While the
want is social, for us it is never
theless peculiarly individual. The
ignorant ballot is a MANAGE to
free government; but an igno-
rant man is the shame of the
educated To leave ones neigh
borhood without the power to
read and write is not only to
leave him without the key to the
door of opportunity, but almost
to shut the door in his face.
What if he has neglected his
chances to get schooling, the
need is still present with him.
When thousands of men and
women are anxious to take hold
of night schools, by which 7is
meant intensely practical schools
well adapted to their needs, and
when other thousands of our ed
ucated citizens, knowing the ad-
vantages even of a little learn
ing, which is no dangerous thing
at all-are equally desirous that
these men and women should
master the rudiments of an edu-
cation, it would be shortsight-
ed policy to deny the students
this opportunity and discourage
the leaders gest suited to bring
about most desired result. In
a discussion of methods, the
matter itself of redemption from
Illiteracy should not fall to the
ground.
The night school has some
what the fascination of the
game of marbles to the man
with salt-and-pepper temples
and an increasing polar cap as
the winter of life attempts in
vain to CONCEAL the warmth of
a heart still boyish. When papa
spins the top the boy is there
but thinly disguised. Let the
night school tap this vein of in
terest. Their fruits then will
make them known and show the
value of the system. The for
NAL frigidity of much that pass
es as education should be avoid
ed. No one intent going about
the work of teaching in a spirit
OF making the punishment fit
the crime, will do much real
good. Make the teaching fit the
conditions is safer guide. In
formality is not inconsistent
with good method.
Novelty is a secret of the at
tractiveness of the night school.
1t is not the secret. That is
rather the feeling that at last
something really practical and
intimately personal is about to be
performed on hitherto uniform
ly resistant persons. The thing
works. Perhaps there is no Sc
cret at all; for there is no evan
escent mystery, if we exclude
the glory of increasing light
bursting on the learner as he
stands on the split shell of his
former self. The school out of
hours, out of bounds, it should
be called.
In mere change there is great
value, when reforms are necessa-
ry, for change implies move
ment, and this may be forward.
The delightful part of the effect
is that the rising tide of educa-
tion is flooding some inveterate-
ly dry old coves. No problem
affecting the welfare of the
State lies beyond the province
of the schools. To every man
the ability to read and write or
the chance to learn, if by chance
he will learn, would be in itself
a respectable educational pro-
gramme for the educational for
ces of the State to undertake du-
ring the year 1916.-The State
Church Bosses.
IT, 4