The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1939-11-23
EDUCATION

DISCUSSION of education had its customary
II place of Importance in the recent A. F. of l..
convention. Labor considers free and equal OPP
portunities for education necessary not only that
individuals may have satisfaction in living, but
that democracy may be afforded more freely and
more securely to all. Equal educational oppor-
tunites for all at all ages of life is the greatest
bulWark of democracy. Such opportunities do not
come by accident or natural development but as
the reward of careful planning and nslstent vigil
ance of citizens aware of the Importance and
function of education, and competent to further
their best interests SO in the world crisis pre-
cipitated by totalitarian states the American Fed
Grafton of Labor participated in the World Con
gress for Education and Democracy and voted tC
help in developing program for the same pur-
pose in this country.
Education for democracy has been the ideal
inspiring the efforts Of early union workers to es-
tablish our public school system as well as ful-
ther efforts to expand and improve educational
facilities and opportunities so that in truth there
might be equal educational opportunities for all.
Equal opportunities dO not mean Identical Opp0l-
tunites but rather varied opportunities for IN
divduals to prepare for best use Of their abilities.
The key decision in each individual life is the po-
stion in which he will earn his living. Education
should prepare for whatever vocation he may
choose, give him the intellectual, moral and spl-
itual discipline so that he may live constructlVey
and prepare himself for responsible part in these
joint activities which constitute the framework OF
democracy General and vocational training for
instruction in those social sciences which deal with
the common life Of the community and the Nation
the core Of the high school curricula which
should be required of all students because neces-
sary for all future citizens, whatever their Voca-
tions.
The convention urged Federal grants-in-aid to
states on basis of financial ability, so that all
boys and girls might have equal educational OPP
portunity regardless of the revenues of the par
ticular state in which their parents lived.
The convention urged upon local organizations
of labor the responsibility Of giving labor adequate
voice and representation in the making Of local
educational policies well rs in keeping in active
touch with instruction in the schools.
In addition the convention urged upon unions
the necessity for carrying on educational work
within unions through the labor press and general
publicity, through research and information for
wage negotiations and policy making, through
regular provision for discussion in union meetings
through special provisions for gatherings such as
Institutes and conferences. Workers, of course
can utilize general educational opportunities for
adults in the community but control over educa-
ton in union work must lie within the union
For the rapidly increasing membership of the
Federation and changing conditions of negotiation
under conditions Of laws recently enacted the con-
Vention declared factua information is of grow
ing importance and recommended further develop
ment Of the research work carried on by the Fed
Grafton.
All Of these educational recommendations of
the convention are designed to promote cOnStruc-
tive union progress and strengthen the practices
of democracy.