The coastland times with which is combined the pilot and herald of Belhaven and Swan Quarter. [volume] (Manteo, N.C.) 1959-1973, 1961-11-24

For some 18 months we have been
hearing from every direction and
through every means of communica-
ton more and more about Equality
Education" and the virtues and ben
efits to be derived from it. 1t was
the main plank in a political plat
form last year and now it is the
chief tenet of the state administra-
ton.
All of this is well and good. We
are in favor Of better schools, bet
ter teaching and more intensive
learning on the part of students.
There is no measure by which we
may say student has absorbed all
that high school has to offer. The
same is true of higher institutions
of learning. Who can affirm that
boy or girl is educated? It is a
matter of degree. The gifted, nat
urally, are going to attain high
er degree of knowledge than those
less gifted. The only invariable
thing about humans is their varia-
bility.
Money is not going to improve
the degree of learning of any stu
dent. We are glad to see teachers
get an increase in salary. They de-
serve it and particularly do those
who have served long years in a
classroom deserve it. The veterans
racked their brains and saw their
patience worn to a fragile in days
when many parents were disinter-
ested, as some are now, and stu
dents, in a similar number, looked
upon a day at school as an outing.
For every five minutes of teaching
there were probably 10 minutes lost
trying to becalm an incorrigible. It
is reasonable to assume that pro-
blems Of a similar nature exist to-
day.
Certainly, it is only proper that
teachers have more for their SER
vices. When a high school graduate
who can type, spell and punctuate
can make $4,000 a year with the
federal government, the difference
between that and the starting pay
of a teacher who has spent four
years in college training. is a
mighty small reward.
New buildings and new equip
ment accompanied by the latest
devices and instruments to excite
the curiosity of students are not go
ing to enhance appreciably the de-
gree of learning a student acquires
in high school or college. If the will
and determination are not present
no quantity or volume of physical
features is going to make super
ior student of him. He may get by,
as so many have, but how is he GO
ing to account for the missing links
when he steps out into the compete
tive world and fails to meet expec-
tations?
Longer lessons and more home
work are not going to have much
of an effect on the degree of know
ledge a student gains from his
day in school. Again, the gifted stu
dent, being blessed with a sharper
sense of perception and retention,
will master the task without being
prodded. But the bulk of student
intellect falls below the gifted level.
Overlooking has a tendency to dis
courage and there will be instances
when, perseverance lacking, the stu
dent will chuck the whole matter.
Volume does not necessarily beget
quality. Last year some 1900 stu
dents dropped out of the Greater
University of North Carolina for
one reason or another. We don't
pretend to know why. 1t may have
been the absence of sufficient abili-
ty, poor foundation, or the volume
of assignments was more than he
could master. Relatively, high
school drop-outs are becoming a
serious matter. The opportunity of
gets some of the blame
but the majority of reasons lie else
where.
Governor Sanford's appearance
here last week was timely in view
Of the drive for better schools. His
remarks were appropriate and we
hope they made an impression con-
ducive to the purpose of his visit.
He had an attentive audience Of
patrons, eminent c.tlzens
and a few students. But the most
element was missing in
his audience. The school children,
Education's objective, were
noe there.
In our opinion the Governors adj
dress would have been far more
effective had it been delivered in
the presence of all school children
IN the county. It probably would
have involved some difficulties but
It could have been done and, if not
for as many ais school buSes would
transport, at least for high school
Students. Perhaps the Governors
appeal would have revived q DOR