The Educational Department

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 3, 1909

The Educational Department

On the subject of school gardens, some thought it of little use to undertake them unless the schools can be continued through the summer, when the gardens need most attention. But others were in favor of beginning, no matter what the circumstances may be. In some cities, where there is no land to be cultivated, good work has been done in beautifying the grounds and in raising plants in boxes. Thus the children learn to love the cultivation of the soil, and receive spiritual lessons of great value. Interesting experiences were related. One school realized a profit of $110 from its garden; another garden produced a profit of $45.

In one school a class was started in woodwork; and the interest was so great that when the school board came to erect a permanent building, they provided a room for carpentry and another for sewing.

The relation of our preparatory schools to the training-schools proved to be an interesting and vital question. On the one hand there is danger that the colleges will be loath to let go of preparatory work, and in consequence will think it necessary to maintain too large faculties; and on the other hand, there is danger that preparatory schools will overreach, and attempt to do work for which they are not prepared on account of meager facilities and limited teaching force. This will create difficulty in matching together the work of the two classes of schools. It was the prevailing opinion that it is wise to multiply strong intermediate schools, and to avoid the establishment of weak academies in the territory of training-schools.

The establishment of German intermediate schools was a subject which aroused much interest. The interest in education among the Germans is increasing. The German department of Union College has doubled in numbers. There is a strong desire to establish intermediate schools in Oklahoma, Kansas, and other localities where there are strong German churches. It was thought that these schools should begin with a low grade of work, adapted to the needs of the students, and build up as fast as possible. Thus more advanced pupils can be supplied to the German training-school.