Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-11-18
EDUCATION WEEK

Education Week, November II to
e, IL an occasion for reminding our
gelses Of an all-year obligation to
the public schools. We could not
improve on the wording Of the appeal
made by the National League OF Wo-
men Voters: Know your schools"
Unless the public does know them.
IL people are content TO leave the
control OF the schools In the hands
Of others. content to go along with
others prescribing for and using the
schools without hindrance. then has
the common school lost Its grip on
mems for It's highest achievement.
Nor should we celebrate the &C.
caSion by hattering ourselves that
the last word concerning education
has been spoken, nor assume that in
ana Of Itself education insures good
citizens. On the contrary the public
school properly conducted under the
watchful eye OF intelligent parents
affprds. az. We believe. no other
method OF instruction for all the peo-
pld may do. an opportunity for the
boys and girls to become good citi-
zeBs by equipping them with knowl-
edge and training helpful to better
comprehension and performance OF
public duties.
II the schools are to fulfll the obli-
cation laid upon them they should
not he permitted TO he made fields
fsk propaganda. There are we'll de-
fined fundamentals in which the
child of tho common school should
become we'll grounded and if these
are properly attended to there will
not be much opportunity left for
making the pupil a test tube In the
hands OF experimenters. We have
yet to learn that any pupil Of the
schools has been overturned In the
thtes RS, or in that which may be
tsimed practical information need
ed In everyday life. 1t may promote
intellectual digestion to serve these
otherwise dry facts with sauces and
other appetizers. but care should be
had against overeating. or installing
the sauce for the piece do resistance.
And while people are keeping n
wstchful eye upon the administa-
tiun OF tho schools which have been
built up with much endeavor. and
in the beginning by much of sacri-
flce--in the days when people did
know tho schools--we must not for
get the illiteracy revealed among
those We drafted for war. That rev.
citation was almost astounding and
far from creditable to us as n peo-
pie. Speaking of this condition in
his recent proclamation of Education
week President Coolidge said:
Education for the children OF all
the people. extending from the prim-
AIRY grades through the university,
constitutes Americas noblest contri-
button to civilization. No child or
Youth in the United States need be
deprived OF the benefits of education
suited to his age and degree OF I'D
vahcement. u
Nevertheless. either through neg
ligence or because of unfortunate
circumstances which might be con-
trdlled with sufficient effort. large
numbers OF children do not receive
the full preparation for their LIES
work to which they are justly en-
titled. Many have reached maturity
without even the rudiments of edu-
cation.
This condition demands the solicit
tude Of all patriotic citizens, 1t in
wolves not only the persons immed
lately concerned and the communi-
ties In which they live. but the Ma
tion itself. for the welfare OF the
country depends upon the character
md intelligence OF those who cast
the ballots"
All will agree that condition should
not be. But in saying so 1t will be
needful to have in mind our obliga-
tions that II shall not be. Education
Week is opportune for considering
that feature of the situation as well
N, tbn ,,hass