The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1917-09-01
WOULD MAINTAIN
SCHOOL STANDARD
Government Bureau Urges That
Efficiency Be Kept Up Dur
ing the War.
SECOND TO DEFENSE NEEDS
Salaries of Teachers Should Not Be
Lowered, 1t is Urged, Although
Costly Building May Be
Postponed.

1
Postponed.
| Officials of Uncle Sans bureau of
| education strongly contend that 1t is of
the utmost Importance that there shall
be no lowering in the efficiency of the
nations systems Of education because
of the war. They believe that schools
and other agencies of education must
he maintained at whatever necessary
cost and against all hurtful Interior
ence with their regular work, except
I as may be necessary for the national
| defense, which is, of course. the i'm
mediate task and must be kept con
stantly in mind, and have right Of way
everywhere and at all times. From
the beginning of our participation in
the war, they point out, we should
avoid the mistakes which some other
countries have made to their hurt and
which they are now trying to correct.
Right in this connection it is pointed
out that if the war should be long and
severe, there will be great need in its
later days for young men and women
of scientific knowledge, training and
skill; and 1t may then be much mere
difficult than it is now to support our
schools. to spare our children and
youth for other service and 10 permit
them to attend school. Therefore,
contend Uncle Sans educational ex-
ncrts, no school should close its doors
M n pp;IV
All young men and women in college
should remain and use their time to
the very best advantage, except such
as may find 1t necessary to leave for
immediate profitable employment in
some productive occupation or for the
acceptance of some position in some
branch of the military service, which
position cannot be so well filled by any
one else. All children in the elemen-
tary schools, and, as nearly as posi-
bic, all high school pupils should re-
main in school through the entire ses-
sion.
Trained Men and Women Needed.
This question of the war and educa-
ton has been taken up seriously by ex-
perts Of the bureau. They point out
further in this connection that when
the war is over, whether within few
months or after many years, there will
be such demands upon this country for
men and women of scientific knowl
edge, technical skill and general cul-
ture as have never before come to any
country. This country must play a far
more important part than 1t has in the
past in agriculture, manufacturing and
commerce, and also in the things of
cultural life-art, literature, music, sci
entific discovery.
A right conception of patriotism
should induce all students, say the
bureau officials, who cannot render
to remain in college, concentrate their
energy on their college work, and thus
be all the more ready and fit when
their services may be needed either for
war or for the important work Of re-
construction and development in eur
own and other countries when the war
shall have ended.
Snoutd NOT Cut salaries.
All schools of whatever grade should
remain open with their full quota of
officers and teachers. The salaries of
teachers should not be lowered, 1t Is
contended, in this time of unusual high
cost of living. When possible salaries
should be- increased in proportion to
the services rendered. Since the peo-
pie Of the country will be taxed heav-
lily by the federal government for the
payment of the expenses of the war,
it is urged by the officials that teachers
should be willing to continue to do |
their work, and do it as well as they |
can as a patriotic duty, even if their |
salaries cannot now be increased. |
Schools should be continued in full
efficiency, but in most cases costly |
building may be postponed.
During school hours and out of |
school, on mornings, afternoons, Sat |
urdays and during vacation all older !
children and youth should be encour- |
aged and directed to do as much use /
full productive work, it is urged by
these experts, as they can without in
terfering with their more important
school duties. This productive work |
should be so directed as to give it the
highest possible value, both economic
ally and educatiOnally. While the war
for the safety Of democracy is in prog
ress and when it is over there will be
greater need for effective machinery
for the promotion of intelligent discus
sion of the principles of democracy.