"CONSOLIDATED " SCHOOLS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIC, Issue 13422, 21 October 1907, Page 6

"CONSOLIDATED " SCHOOLS.

One of the leading agricultural papers published in Minnesota says: —"The plan of consolidation of centralisation of schools in country districts' is growing in favour as its advantages are recognised, some of which are already realised in several counties in this State, and the .superintendents of schools in other counties report the suspension of schools in a number of districts because of small attendance, and recommend consolidation. \ The advantages of the consolidated school are many, chief of which .is the greater efficiency of the teaching force, as the gathering of the pupils of several schools into one permits- of their better classification. The,larger number of pupils in each class* stimulates interest, arouses the competitive* spirit and greatly increases effort. Better salaries can be paid and more thoroughly trained and efficient teachers secured, and - a better class of school buildings can be provided. And consolidation will result in time in the, desired scientific agricultural instruction of country . children. The country district schools : can carry its pupils only through the primary grades; it is beyond the power of any teacher to do more than this. AsProfessor Kern, of Illinois, said before a Wisconsin farmers' institute last year: "The country children have not had a square deal." City children's education is provided, witliin walking distances of their homes, to the point where they are prepared for college or to enter some trade or business vocation. But country children - must be sent from home, to towns or cities, for any further; instruction than, the primary grades. Here,jtoo often, they are educated away from instead of for farm life. The consolidation or contralisation rather, of the country schools will bring' the higher educational advantages within reach of the country children, who, instead of the college preparatory or. business course, as they choose,"may ba taught scientific agriculture, mechanics and., domestic economy. Higher education along these lines will elevate the standard of farm life,, dignify the vocation of fanning, and the. -generally improved and scientific methods will greatly improve the productiveness of the farms and nromote the general /welfare, and prosperrty of farm people. This is the ultimate aim, and will undoubtedly be •the successful'result of the general consolidation of country schools.