The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-06-26
BETTER SCHOOLS IN
country ESSENTIAL
TOSTATE PROGRESS
c. c. Swain, MayviIIe College
Head, Makes Statement
in Address
SCHOOL BOARDS MEET HERE
approximately 200 6urlsigh
County Educational Heads
! Attend Annual Session

1tuI0A oCAIVO4o uluOV NC Put OAl oII
equal basis with city educational In
stitutions, G. G. Swain, president Of
the Mayville State Teachers college,
said this afternoon in an address be-
fore approximately 200 Burleigh coun.
ty school board members, in confer
ence here.
In declaring that the rural school
presents Americas greatest educa-
tional problem. Mr.. Swain said that So
per cent Of pupils in elementary and
high schools of the United States
come from the country. So per cent Of
the country's teachers are employed
in rural schools, and all which affects
the rural schools affects one-half of
the population of the United States
Proves with Figures
Supporting hts contention that rural
schools are not given as much atten-
tion as those in the city, Mr.. Swain
quoted many statistics. Only 25.7 per
cent of rural children between the
ages of Is and l0 years are in high
school while 7l.7 per cent Of city chill
dren in the same class are attending
high school. On the average. country
children attend school only l56 days
Of the year compared to l83 for city
children. Total average expenditure
for education for each rural school
child per year Is only $75.Ol compared
to $l29.82 for the city child. Average
value Of school property per rural
child in the United States is only 800
compared to $3.50 for each city child.
The average yearly salary Of the rural
teacher is $855 compared to $l.S76 for
the urban teacher.
The solution is almost wholly ccon-
omic, the educator said. I'VE should
spend more money for brains and less
for gasoline. We should learn to get
pleasure and satisfaction out Of the
simpler things Of life. Farmers must
learn that IT doesn't pay to raise fat
nogs when the consumer VIII pay 8
fancy price for . lean bacon" In 1877
North Dakota spent $l7,075,384 for
education and 90, $50 .9S4 for automo-
biles. IF we must retrench because
of hard times. let US not begin with
the schools" he said.
Better Teachers Needed
Better teachers for the rural school
today are imperative. he said. "Half
of the teachers studying at the state
teachers college at Mayville are IN the
rural department. We have too many
young and inexperienced girls. The
ideal rural teacher is one who loves
the open country. has q sympathetic
attitude toward the farmer and his
problems, and has professional at
titude toward teaching"
Because the progress Of North Da-
kota will be limited by the economic.
social, and intellectual progress OF
men and women in the rural districts.
the state must remedy the school sit-
uation in the near future, he said. He
expressed confidence that remcdied
measures will be forthcoming In the
near future.
Mr.. Swain yesterday appeared be-
fore an educational body at La Moure
and will leave tonight for Darlington.
where he will speak tomorrow. He has
tbeen president Of the Mayville insti-
tuition for six years and for SIX years
was rural school commissioner for the
state Of Minnesota.
The one-day meeting here was ar
ranged by Miss Madge Runey, Bur-
leigh county superintendent Of
schools. A round-table discussion was
conducted this morning and new
school legislation was discussed.