Evening star., 1938-09-11

ondary schools, 100000 young peo-
pie in colleges and universities, and
millions of other persons seeking edu-
cation Of one kind or another. But
aside from the students and the more
than million teachers whose duty 1t
Is to instruct them, there are those
whose work depends directly or in
directly upon the important industry
Of education.
Back-to-school for pupils anu teach
ers is backto-work in a million edu-
cational workshops for supervisors,
principals and superintendents Of
schools. September means employment
for book repairmen, janitors, laborers,
nremen, engineers, carpenters, paint
ers, plumbers, electricians, auto me-
chanics and bus drivers. It Is the
back-to-work month for the school
nurse and doctor, the attendance OH.
Ger. deans Of boys and girls, professors,
research directors, business managers.
directors of guidance.
Many Fields Affected.
The big business of American edu-
cation turns the wheels Of industry in
many fields. Schoolgoers stimulate
activity in the clothing and shoe in
dustries. Pupils must have books and
school supplies. Publishers, stationers
and school supply houses frequently
work overtime in the fall months.
School bus and other means of trans.
portation for pupils supply jobs for
bus manufacturers, garage and gaso-
line station operators. School build
ings must be constructed, renovated
and equipped. Nearly $500 900, 900
worth of school buildings were con-
structed with the aid of Public Works
Administration funds from 1898 to
1896. 1t is thus that American educa-
tion affects the pulse of American in
dustry in many fields.
More than $4,000, 1000 900 will be
spent this year in the operation and
maintenance Of the country's schools
and colleges. This sum OF money is
invested by taxpayers who are the
stockholders in education.
What does this gigantic activity
mean to the millions Of individuals
and to the Nation that justifies such
large outlay of money and effort?
First, the American system of edu-
cation aims at equality of opportunity.
With fewer exceptions than ever before
each individual has a good chance to
develop intellectually and morally.
Second. this great business provides
our democracy with a literate and a
relatively well-trained citizenry.
People Must Be Informed.
We know that government of the
people cannot function unless the
people are literate and are eouiped
to deal intelligently with the impor-
tant problems affecting ther lives.
That Is the reason the business is
operated on such vast scale. New
stress Is being laid on the develop
ment Of more vital citizenship pro-
grams.
The learners who 60 "back-to- work"
in September are as truly employed
in a productive enterprise as are the
workers on the farm or in the factory
or in business establishment. They
are employed in the important Job
OF making democracy work.
We. the stockholders, must constant
ly be on the alert to see that our
business is operating the way it should.
We should see that learners are work
ing at something that is both inter.
esting and useful. and that they will
benefit after work hours" from their
stay in the education shop. I believe
that although one Of the broad pur-
poses Of education is to make a life"
ones life may be ruined If he cannot
make living.
think each year more educators
and stockholders in American educa-
ton reach the conclusion that we must
devote more time to vocational, edu.
cational, and personal guidance. We
are appreciating the fact that children
and adults who are going through
the learning process are different in
dividuals and must be dealt with as
individuals. We are realizing that
learners In elementary and secondary
schools, and those in colleges and
universities cannot be stuffed with all
the information an adult needs, and
that we can organize the learning
process in such way, from the nur-
sery school throughout adult life, that
learners can more readily and com.
(see eTUDEBAKER, Page o-50