Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-02-12

only half n dozen boys, where there
half mile, could easily have come.
SO far as distance was concerned, and
would have had to pay no fees at all
Hut things are improving. People are
coming more and moro TO see that
there is some utility in reading and
writing
COUNTRY NOT READY FOR
COMPULSORY EDUCATION
question OF whether resor, would ever
be had TO compulsory education.
The country is not yet ready for
compulson." replied Mr. Sharp. You
must, III vast country llke India and
80 conditioned. have mass education
on II fairly solid basis before COM
pulsion steps in TO NIL the gaps. At
present compulsion would not be TILL
ing the gaps, but creating the fabric.
That would bc likely to raise great
discomfort. y progressive rule in
native state, who has done much to
advance education in his state. gave
his opinion as follows: Make pri-
mary education as tree as you choose,
and as many further inducements rs
you can. but do not make ii compul-
sorry. In the case OF the most ad-
vanccd classes it is absolutely neces.
sary and would serve only to create
irritation. In the case OF the poor
backward classes 1t would inflict harm
where good was meant, would subject
them to great harassmeut would be
positively cruel and unjust, and would
he deeply though silently resented as
SUCH"
The commissioner added, however,
that education might he made COM
pulsory in more advanced areas. and the
measure OF compulsion gradually APP
piled TO others.
Already the Gaekwar OF Earoda has
made education compulsory in the state,
and an experiment. is being made in
the State OF Mysorc," he continued.
I'm Earcda and the surrounding British
territories the people arc naturally
rather appreciativc of education. The
number OF those under elementary edu-
cation in Ruroda has risen greatly
since compulsion was Introduces and
stands now ut |. per cent Of the popu-
latlon.'
POINTS OUT DEFECTS
~ PRESENT SYSTEM
The commissioner pointed out some
defect in the EDUCATIONAL system as
its stands.
1T looks top-hcavy." he said. This
is partly due to the slow expansion of
mass as compared with higher cduca-
ton. and partly TO the fact that many
boys pursue the high school and uni
vcrsi:% course who would be better
in technical, industrial and CONNER
clai schools The percentage ~ those
who ARC in secondary and collegiate
institutions II o.iI per cent Of The
total population. and 3.I5 per con; OF
the school population But if we take
,tlc male population alone the figures
arc 90 and g." In tho United States
- per cent Of the total popula ton
Is in high schools and colleges"
The commissioners attention was
called to the statement. often heard
that there is a great deal OF cram
Ing and uninteiilgemt instruction in
Indian schools.
'Gnfortunately that is true" he said
but no, nearly 10 the same extent In
different localities. The chief cause
is poor teaching. Most OF the higher
institutions are managed by private
bodies: for example, SO per cent of the
high schools are SO managed The
terms Of service for the teachers are
unattractire, and often the managers
pick UP any one they ran--pcrhaps a
man who looks on tho Job as pot
boiler while ha studies for the bar
IN these privately managed high
schools, out Of 4 total Of 1900 teach
rrS ct English and classical languages
1859 are unframed"