Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-04-19
THE NEED OF MORE AND BET
TER EDUCATION IN MY
COMMUNITY

Environment is factor which is
very important in the development Of
our lives. If we are born with q
good heritage and lack suitable en-
vironment we will fall short Of our
possibilities. One of the great social
problems Of to-day is how to better
our environment and the direct way
is to better the community in which
we live.
Good citizenship is required to do
this. Therefore we must have good
schools, for they will give the know
ledge upon which sound citizenship
is founded and the moral fiber which
active citizenship demands.
Ten years ago it was believed that
education helped only the individual,
but the whole philosophy has been
transformed. It has become social
lied.
Equalization of educational OPP
portunity should receive much at
tention. No child should be depriv-
ed of fair start because he lives
in community which is unable to
support adequate schools.
1t is a matter of regret that West
Virginia is not now regarded as poss-
essing school system that compar-
es favorably with that of the more
progressive states. In fact, we have
Jagged behind until we are, number
ed among the least progressive Of
the states educationally. The re-
cent census, developed the fact that
in this state there are $4,000 persons
who can neither read nor write the
English language. Here again we
see the underlying and fundamental
need of public education.
nliteracy and crime are closely
related. It. is more economical to
educate children than to prosecute
criminals and maintain jails and
penal institutions. In fact, the
right kind of education is exception
ally fine insurance. 1t insures a.
gainst crime and against poverty. It
gives security of life and property.
My community does not have the
school facilities. adequate to accom-
modate the number of pupils who at
tend. We are unable to have a re-
gular course in physical culture be-
cause of the lack of gymnasium.
Physical culture is a requirement for
first class high school, but we
have maintained our position by
merely taking one phase of physical
exercise, the setting up exercises,
in the open air-when the weather
permits.
So many boys and girls must go
from the high school, into
active business life, that very high
school should have a well equipped,
well taught commercial department.
At present the Belington high school
offers commercial arithmetic, com
mercial geography, penmanship and
bookkeeping. To this should be add
ed at least shorthand, typewriting
and psychology of craftsmanship. A
training in the subjects
just mentioned would help one much
toward a successful career. This is
an age of specification. If we would
do most to help our young people we
must provide definitely for this spec
ialized training.
Also our home economics depart
ment is not up to the standard.
should like to enter strong plea
for home economics; few of our
girls may for a time teach, do cleri-
cal or stenographic work, but sooner
or later the great majority will be
home makers Cor home breakers, de-
pending on the sort of training they
receive.) Upon the privacy and
sacredness Of the home rests the
strength of American democracy.
1t is the duty of the school to give
the boys and girls the best it, can.
The reward will be hundred-fold,
and the blessing and thanksgiving
Of the men and women of to-
for the foresight and pro-
of you of to-day will be
dividends, impossible to compute in
dollars and cents.
The interest of the community in
the scuccess of our school work, is
not always as great as it should be.
In my community, as in the most
West Virginia communities, the
country school chilrden are handi-
capped by being located too far from
a high school. By building good
roads the educational advantages
are greatly increased, making it
possible for boys and girls to go
turn each evening to their country
homes, thus giving them equal adj
vantages with the town or city