The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1936-04-30
ERWIN'S VIEWS OF PUBLIC
EDUCATION

CLYDE Erwin, State superintendent OF
education, is a public Official, who Is able
to 20 before the people with presentation
of-the case of his department made IN a
manner that appeals to reason and COM
mon sense. That was the verdict OF the
audience which heard superintendent En-
win in Hendersonyille last Tuesday even
ing.
A citizen does not necessarily have 10
agree with all the conclusions OF the State
spperintendent in order to admit that ne
makes a strong and appealing presenta-
ton for the school system Of North Carllna
of views that probably represent his own
and the policies of majority OF the pup
lie school leaders of the State.
In his Hendersonville speech Mr.. Erwin
made three points which Ire said were the
corner stones of his plans for public educa-
ton in North Carolina.
First, he would establish an adequate
financial base for public instruction and
would furnish the children OF the State an
ADEQUATE education in the public schools.
This instruction must be made available to
all the children, was his second conclusion
His third point was that there must be
an adequate curriculum for the pubic
schools; and he warmly advocated the eX-
tension and broadening of vocational edu-
cation. ..... $780,.
North Carolina children must be taught
a way to live and how to make living, the
Superintendent said; and he summed up
the case for his educational plans by say
ing that the public schools must be one OF
the chief agencies for character building
The Times-News believes that two points
made by Mr.. Erwin cannot be too strongly
stressed in considering the public school,
system and it's needs and its future.
His views of vocational education and OF
the moral responsibility of the schools
ought to have the endorsement OF all the
citizens; and in addition to mere endorse
ment, they should have the active support
and cooperation of all who are interested
not only in public education but in any way
in the welfare of the State.
Vocational education is practical educa
ton for the boy or girl who must 60 ou
into the world to make living, as we'll a
to make a life. Wherever adopted II
North Carolina it is justifying its adoption
and there is evidence that 1t Will nflnt
large direct returns on the financial invest
ment ..
The conclusion of the whole matter
however. is that reached by MIR. Erwin
that education that does not build the rlgh
kind of character for the men and Womei
of North Carolina will be failure. In
educated man or woman without eharac
ter is the greatest Of all menaces 10 OF
ganized society.
The Times-News believes the maJorlt.
of the people of the State desire tirs
class public school system, with adequat
financial support; and that they demani
that the educational leadership and tn
grand army of teachers shall do frs
class job of instruction and character build
ing for those who are to be the future cit
zens of North Carolina, -. ....s... ..., $50,
And here let us stress the fact that tn
schools and the school teachers, in orde
to do first class job, must have the heart
cooperation of school patrons. The prob
lem of character building in children
primarily the duty and obligation of pal
ents and the work must be done in tn
home. While we are improving our school
and building gps our system of public sedI