La Junta tribune., 1917-02-10
OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM
some Pertinent Observations On No-
cational Training in the Public
School Plan

expression in the term vocational
training" II seems necessary TO
bring to public attention the fact
that vocational training may serve
to modify. but cannot possibly re-
place the present system.
II you want TO entertain young
ster the one thing that holds his
attention Is once upon time there
was little boy or giant" who
went upon his travels or fell down
we'll. or did something. Whether
he be good or bad. It is absolutely
essential that he be kept busy.
Later on he demands heavier
plot, and the subject must be he
role As the boy grows older. his
hero must constantly keep falling
in love and the plot must grow
thicker and thicker when he grows
up and gets into business he dis
covers that II is one thing to make
an article and quite another thing
10 sell il. and that he has to know
a good deal about human nature
in order to do so.
His old-time interest in plot
stands by him. so that the combina-
I ton OF character study and business
plot affords him a never failing in
terest which he calls human inter
est A"
He never underestimate the
worth OF his experience and knowl-
edge that came from II and is bound
therefore to appreciate any form
Of education that passes his knowl-
edge along TO his son The real enter
tainment a man gets Is in his bust
ness and it absorbs so much Of his
time that he feels he has little time
for anything else, so that II is quite
natural indeed that preparation for
this kind OF active life is uppermost
in his mind when he thinks of "edu-
/ cation"
I II this Is the aim OF education"
then attention must be called to the
movies. whose experts have made
human interest" an exact science
/ Everyday experience with movies"
on the side should therefore pro-
I vide satisfactory education without
I schools aud the attending expense.
However. II would appear that
one movie" man was correct when
he expressed his opinion In these
terms: Movies cater to a mentality
equal To that OF a nine-year-old boy
the public doesn't want education.
I II wants TO be amused"
Clearly. education has something
TO do with Intellectual capacity, and
schools must cultivate mental de-
yelopment" rather than human in
torcst." They have therefore en-
/ ployed Latin, algebra. and geometry
to secure mental effort. and nothing
has been found TO equal them for
that purpose.
Again, the active man, fun of
human interest Is apt to regard
. AAA'n' NAHl''AN a. AhAAsAaAH nv
does not meet with them In his bust
ness and concludes that they are
not vital In the education OF those
who must look out for themselves.
In this he is deceived. for he con
siantly complains OF the lack OF ed
ucaiion everywhere manifest. yet
he fails to perceive that failur. Is
due to lack OF mental stress. cul.
tiyated by the subjects he is pre-
pared 20 condemn.
Up to the present time schools
have taught cultural subjects, such
a. music and art. for the purpose OF
cultivating an interest In matters not
related To daily drudgery. or even TO
work fun OF human interest.
Possibly there IL no demand for
them hut assurcdly II adds much
to the pleasure OF life To be able to
think Of aud discuss things not d.
rectly related 10 business. but. u
there Ia no time for this. vocational
training" had better take It's place
and may prove TO be more valuable.
Any form that vocational training
may take has but limited value. II
pupils are limited In their mental ca
pacity,
II any one questions the value OF
Latin as mental stimulant. let him
attend a beginners class. The firr,
day they nre eager to begin. for II IL
new and novel and children love nov
city. They will listen with interest.
noting every facial expression OF the
teacher. his necktie. his clothes. or
his manner. Jus, as though they were
attending the movies. In pleasant an
ticIpation. Hut let that teacher OK.
act nm answer or repetition that
requires intelligent comprehension