6S2 ANNUAL. REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



articles and newspapei' editorials, dealing with rural problems, it 

 is niercly a passiug lad; but there is, witlioiit doubt, coming to be a 

 genuine interest on the part of educated people, in the condition of 

 agriculturists and their schools. 



Our rural schools are being severely criticised, and very justly, 

 though I think some of this criticism pertains to the machinery more 

 than to the product. This rural school question was never before 

 such a live topic, not only among our educators, but among our 

 farmers, as it is ta-day. Whether the system of centralization, which 

 seems to be the solution of the question, prevails or not, the pros- 

 pects never were so hopeful as they are now for the substantial bet- 

 terment of the country school. In many townships we now hud high 

 schools where pupils may, after completing the course of the common 

 branches, take a short high school course. This has many advan- 

 tages over the present condition of schools in this township. But 

 why would not a centralized school, with a longer and more thorough 

 course of study, be better than the separate high school? Work- 

 ing examples of this sj'stem may be seen in many rural communities 

 in the consolidation of school districts, which makes one strong and 

 etfective educational center possible. In many country districts 

 this is the question: "^Shall the old scattered schoolhouses give way 

 to a central school building to which pupils shall be transported at 

 the public expense?" 



On general principles the advantages of such centralization will 

 appeal to all who are interested in the improvement of rural condi- 

 tions. I take from the American ISchool Board Journal the advan- 

 tages summarized as follows: 



1. The health of the children is better, the children being less 



exposed to stormy weather, and avoiding sitting in damp 

 clothing. 



2. Attendance is from 50 to 100 per cent, greater, more regular 



and of longer continuance, and there is neither tardiness nor 

 truency. 



3. Fewer teachers are required, so better teachers may be secured 



and better wages paid. Teachers are brought together in a 

 community where professional zeal is cultivated. 



4. Pupils work in graded schools and both teachers and pupils 



are under systematic and closer supervision. 



5. Pupils are in better schoolhouses, where there is better heating. 



lighting and ventilating, and more ai^pliances of all kinds. 



6. Better opportunity is alforded for special work in music, draw- 



ing, etc. 



7. Cost in nearly all eases is reduced. Under this is included cost 



and maintenance of school buildings, ajjparatus, and school 

 furniture and tuition. 



8. School year is often much longer. 



9. Pupils are benefited by a wide circle of acquaintance and the 



culture resulting therefrom. 



10. The whole community is drawn together. 



11. Public conveyances used for the children in the daytime may 

 be used to transport their parents to pubjic gatherings in the 

 evenings, to lecture courses, etc. 



12. Finally, as of old, the farm becomes the ideal place in which 



