The Alaska daily empire., 1919-04-05
A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

The measure pending in the Legislature which pro vides for the establishment of normal training course with the addition of fifth of high school work those desiring to take it, is step in the right direction. It ought to pass. The Empire be-
 eves that practicable and proper road toward the development of Alaska educational system is through the high schools, It believes that technical training and a good deal of college work should be introduced them, the earliest possible time, and normal training school is logically the first step The first technical schools established on the older frontiers normal schools for the education and training of teachers The Empire believes better suits would have been secured with the money pended if those schools had been attached to the high schools instead of being separate institutions
 Distances great in Alaska and communities widely separated The principle necessity for good technical schools schools of higher learning pupils-are not numerous in any community up here, and when parents send young and women away from home to attend school they are more likely to send themF to larger institutions and more popu lcus centers than have in Alaska. But we have the public school organizations and high schools at home. With little cost these could be organized so junior college work could be done and technical train ing begun
 The introduction of hihger education in the high schools in Alaska would have tendency to arouse ambition among the pupils earlier in life, and it would attract to the schools of the Territory educators who have deliberately chosen their profession a life work
 And in this connection, The Empire believes City Superintehdepts and High School Principals should get higher salaries. The pay should be such would attract of breadth of viewpoint thinkers. who appreciate the great field the education and training of the youth of country offers for useful and honorable How many men, looking back over their lives give much of the credit for what they to preceptor of sturdy mind and robust character. We should have a corps of such in Alaska-one two in each of high schools who have chosen their profession because of their desire to be useful in it and to rise in it. A score two of strong brany. highly educated, est men in the high schools of Alaska striving to make the public schools of the Territory take first place in the development of Alaskan citizenry. would be invaluable this Territory and would than compensate for all that it would cost. They would form the foundation of educational system that would be the pride of the North and the sheet anchor of her civilization.
 Alaska has good for educational system Of such character Commissioner of Education l.. D. Henderson is amply qualified to take the lead in its development. He has vision and character and ambi- tion and good supply of common sense. His reap pointment is matter for congratuation There is need for more such men in the Territory-as said, one or two more connected with each of high schools With such corps of men, it would be lcng until the spirit Of the entire Territory would spond to their work.