Milford chronicle., 1960-03-25
OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM


a service beyond the bounds of military ac-
tivities in warning the nation that our edu-
catiOnal system is inferior to that being en-
jOyed in Russia today
Rickover points out that the Europeans
and the Russians-are accomplishing more
with their educational system than we are.
He says we should be able to give our young
people In ten grades what they are now get
ting in twelve. This is being accomplished in
Russia and other countries.
He says we should limit the number of
elective (crip) courses and see to it that
every young American gets an adequate edu-
cation in the important, vital fields in which
the competition is so keen today. He says
we should have system whereby diplomas
show just how proficient the graduate was.
Also he says we should not limit the prog
ress of the brightest students by holding
them back to the pace of education of the
slOwest students. In other words, he favOrs
a system whereby the best minds could move
ahead-tO the fullest extent of their abili-
ties.
He believes we are off the deep end on
our athletic programs in our high schools
and colleges. Instead of program whereby
sports is mainly the business of few stars,
and interest centerS around the schools
teams-playing other teams-Rickover says
we should stress the physical conditioning of
all students, as is done in Russia and in
other countries
He suggests, also, that our educational
system is far too expensive on the college
level The best students should receive some
kind of help-if they need ito go on to col
lege and utilize their talent. RickOver notes
that this is done in Russia and other coun-
tries and that a college education in the Uni
ted States is more expensive than anywhere
else in the world
He also wants study programs coordinat-
cd cto ndo1s dc od nd bo cfc
this be done on the college level.
Rickover is concerned because the Rus
SLAMS are graduating more scientists and
scholars in the vital fields of learning than
we are. He is also concerned with the physi-
cal fitness Cor lack of it, among u. S. stu
dents. He warns bluntly that unless we make
the necessary changes in our system, which
might require ten-month school year and
six days of school week, and higher pay
for teachers, we are in great danger of fall
ing behind the Russians in the educational
and professional fields.
This is a somber warning and one that
has been made repeatedly by experts in the
United States. Ironical as it is, the United
States-the richest country in the worlds
watching its major competitor pull steadily
ahead in the field of education. Prompt steps
are needed if this trend is to be altered.
(~@~&
DISARMAMENT
On March 18th representatives of five
western nations met with representatives of
an equal number of communist countries in
Geneva to seek way to bring about general
disarmament.
This meeting is not to be connected with
the meetings which have been held to find
a solution to the threat Of nuclear war and
excessive radiation. This latter subject has
been the basis of talks between the United
States, Great Britain and Russia, and there
have been recent indications that the coun-
tries are closer to agreement on a system
of inspection and control of nuclear weapons
than they have ever been before.
However, talks on disarmament have not
been renewed since the Fall of 1857, when
the lOng-stalemated negotiations in London
were broken off. The purpose of these talks
is to find way for the nations of the east
and west to disarm mutually, in the inter-
ests of government economy and better
standard of living for the peoples of the var
ious countries concerned
1t should be remembered that Premier
Nikita Khrushchev of Russia, in speech be-
fore the General Assembly of the United
Nations last year-called for complete and
general disarmament On the day prior to
that, British Foreign Secretary Selwyn
Lloyd outlined an interesting plan for dis
armament, which the western powers are ex-
pected to support.
We cannot say whether the disarmament
meetings will be successful, but if they are
successful, and if we can agree on general
disarmament-in the field of conventional
arms, it would be great benefit for all the
countries concerned. There are many dang
ers and delicate questions to be solved, of
course, in any disarmament proposal, and
we should never place ourselves in the posi-
ton of disarming while accepting only the
promises of the communists.
We can hope, nevertheless, that some day
a formula for Successful disarmament will be
found and that this formula will be carried
out, with adequate inspection and assurances
that it is being carried out, thus saving the
taxpayers of the United States, and those of
many other nations, sizeable sum of mon
ey, which can go into the domestic programs
for the benefit of the people, and into tax
reductions etc