Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-09-09
OPENING SCHOOLS
CHOkED BY PUPILS
Lack of New Buildings and
Increase i'm Students
Cause Alarm
SEE TEACHER SHORTAGE
More Children Placed on Part
Time. Calling for More
Institutions
SEE TEACHER SHORTAGE

Three hundred Philadelphia schools
opened today for the 191s-1919 term
with adverse conditions more serious
than ever in their history.
with no new school buildings in the
last year and big increase in the
number OF pupils in sections already
crowded. the biggest problem facing
the Board of Education is the arrange
ment Of the part-time system to care
for all those enrolled.
While school principals this morning
said there were teachers for every class
room so far. they were making every
preparation against future emergencies
Increase OF the part-time system of
teaching will mean more teachers and
whether or not these will be obtainable
cannot be known until the classroom
routine has become more settled. There
are AT present some teachers on the
waiting list and Superintedent CARRIER
hopes the supply will meet the demand.
In anticips ton of teacher shortage
after Christmas" he said. when more
OF our men teachers may be ca lied into
service. We have set the date for
teachers examinations in February and
hope TO bring more women and men. not
eligible for service, to the Philadelphia
schools"
Senior classes in high schools showed
a decided shortage of pupils especially.
OF boys, Many of the students, just past
the age OF eighteen. have forsaken the
classroom in anticipation OF an early
call to service under the new man-power
bill. Others have accepted good pa wing
positions In war plants
Teacher. Want Higher SaIari..
SO far as the regular classes are con-
cerned. there was a teacher for every
classroom with some in reserve 1t is
believed. however. that the reserve force
will be speedily used as a large ma jority
Of the teachers are dissatisfied with their
present rate of pay and will better their
condition financially as soon as oppor-
tunity offers.
At present teachers in the elementary
classes receive the same salary as city
street cleaners and the scrubwomen en-
Dloyed at City Hall.
Although janitors at all the schools
reported for work today they are dis
satisfied with their wages, and it may be
difficult to hold them throughout the
present term unless they receive better
inducements, /. is said.
No New School Buildings
No schools were erected during the
summer and there is little prospect of
any being built during the war Even
il material and workmen were available
the Board of Education would not have
sufficient funds for much-needed school
buildings.
Out of the present tax there is al
lowed minimum of five mills and a
ma ximum Of six for school purposes in
| cities of the first class. Unless an in.
| crease Is allowed for school purposes by
the next Legislature the schools will
| ce very serious condition.
More than half million dollars is
needed for necessary repairs to schools
| in Philadelphia.
We desire to accomplish two very
| important things" said DR.. John p. Gar
Der. superintendent of public schools
today The first is to do everything
we can toward helping to win the war
and the second is to prepare our boys
| and girls to meet the exceedingly com
plex and important problems that viii
follow the war"