The Tribune. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1951-19??, 1954-03-27
is "Fear" CriPplingly Our
Teachers Nationally

One of popular magazines states that Education
is impossible in many parts of the u S. today because
free discussions impossible The N E. A. studied no
less than 522 school systems covering every section
country and came to the conclusion that American
ers today reluctant to consider any controversial
issues. But what does that mean? An point on
which the parties take different views non-contro
versia issue therefore, is impossible square
All issues controversia if they not they would
not be issues IT, then, issues ceases
to be education. Perhaps indoctrnaton is suit
able word There is reported shortage r. 900 teach
yet 10000 leave the profession every year One
of the reasons is that they paid living wage
The salary is $34OO and it only that high
because of the salary scale of states like California and
New York In Arkansas than half of the teachers
less than $4,000 year. Hence, the of
inquistion, adding the ordeal of economics
Teachers are being forced to avoid controversial
subjects In many places they asked sign loyalty
pledges or take oaths concerning their loyalty Many of
them fearful of being fired fact it is
than that Not only they afraid losing their
jobs but they afraid of getting into trouble which will
result in damaging their standing citizens and teach
ers Whether wish to admit it not, must agree
that the greater portion of teachers everywhere is in
Inundated. Yes perhaps boast of few who still
speak out but they rapidly disappearing We must
also admit that the spirit of the teaching profession is
being crushed, and with it, hopes of far reaching,
mentally stimulating education for and women
of tomorrow.
AS before stated, the impression that tissues" must
be avoided is growing But tissues be avoded"?. If
any issue is presented, if it not one not
induging in conceament, fasity and deception? Ger
tanly problem has two sides to it, and it
be called anything but indoctrination if only angle
is accepted The Russians guilty of this Must we,
too, be guilty?
Naturally some inssues are more arousng, and per-
haps potentially fiery than others Those in the
realm of international affairs those that the
political economic life of nation uppermost in
minds.
In the matter of international affairs and politics.
it is peculiarly realm of opinion and naturally of
proper controversy 1t is absurd to ask teacher to hide
or keep his personal opinion to himself Any one who
has taught knows that this hardly be done A
teacher is employed to teach not to echo She is an in
elgence not photograph The absurdty of forbiddng
teachers to consider all sides any issues unAmerican
and could only result in America presenting us in the
next generation of poorly prepared and unequip-
ped people, who result of that schooling will find
themselves totally unprepared cope with the problems
of national survival
what should we do about teachers? We should
give them the green light Even communism should be
studied as issue with both sides presented All
issues religious political educational economic should
be presented certainly without distortion which only
DE done both sides heard The teachers should be
encouraged to be thought provokers Our children need
free hand in the exploration of ideas Then and then
only, hope to them develop into the type of
citizens who conduct the affairs of our country with
credit to themselves and posterity
Let us, as true Americans reegate "fear" to the
dead ashes of the past Let resolve to demand for our
teachers the right to question: to provoke and to en-
terrain contradictory thoughts about way of life IF
we honestly want education in it's truest sense we should
resolve to see that teachers paid decent salary give
them freedom to work and to promote as well as provoke
thought among their pupils