p. 21 | Agricultural Education by H. A. WASHBURN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · May 19, 1904

Agricultural Education

By H. A. WASHBURN

Changes in Plans and Methods

As we have presented in these articles the instruction which the Lord has given us regarding our school work, it must have been often felt by the reader that in many respects we have not carried out this instruction in a practical way. It has seemed impossible to put the work into operation as our school work is now conducted. To do this necessitates changes in our work in various ways. This is not surprising, however, for our whole work as a people is reformatory, requiring continual advancement.

Change in the School Year

In one of our former articles, some queries were mentioned, which could only be answered by suggesting that the school year coincide with the agricultural season. In no other way can “study in agricultural lines be the A, B, and C of the education given in our schools.” We need not repeat the various statements which can only be conformed to by having our schools in session, and the students in attendance, in the spring, summer, and fall. An educational campaign is needed for our people, to enable them to see the necessity of having their children in school during these months of the year, when alone they can receive the lessons which the Lord says they should be taught. Many objections are raised, inasmuch as this is different from customs of the past. There has long been a feeling on the part of many that the school year should be thus changed, but the movement has not been generally undertaken, for lack of support from the patrons of the school. In the school with which the writer is connected, this subject has been studied and discussed for the past three years, with the result that the people of the

conference have given their approval to the change suggested, and the school is now running on this basis. Our present year began March 30, and the blessings we have already received as the direct result of the change have exceeded our expectations. The Lord has moved upon the hearts of the brethren, and a goodly attendance marks the first year of this new order. Nearly all the students now in school will remain through the summer and fall. There is a winter term for those who can not attend at other times, but this is separate from the school year proper; and class work which can be accomplished in one term, and suited to the needs of those in attendance, is provided. A large number of pupils have heretofore come in the winter and left in the spring, causing many classes to become small and weak, so that the changes in other respects at this season of the year have taken much of the enthusiasm out of the work. Now, with new, full classes beginning at this time, and with school work closely related to the opening season of growth, with some necessary changes in the daily program, we find a life and inspiration never before experienced. Our farm is a delightful lesson book, and the consecutive nature study of spring, summer, and fall enables us to make the school work not only more profitable, but far more delightful. We now have an opportunity to open before our students’ minds the treasures of knowledge and pleasure associated with country life. Our Saviour seems much nearer when study and recitation can be conducted amid surroundings of trees, birds, and flowers than in a poorly ventilated class room in the winter season. School discipline is entirely different. Christ and his redeeming love can be brought more vividly and constantly before the minds of the students, and thus the great end of all our work is more readily reached.

Other Changes

Many other changes suggest themselves, but we will notice only a few of them. As already mentioned, a change in the daily program may be advisable. Advice has been given that “students should perform physical labor in the early morning and in the cool of the day, using the hours during the heat of the day for study.” We have in the past had our classes in the forenoon, with the latter part of the afternoon for labor. We now have half the class work in the latter part of the forenoon, with the remainder in the early part of the afternoon, and so arranged that certain students are free to work our teams during the entire day.

Another change will be in the studies pursued by the pupils, more of nature study, agriculture, horticulture, floriculture, etc., being introduced, and less of other studies at one time. We must make the book of nature stand next to the Bible. Mental and physical exertion must be balanced in the students’ daily life.

All the work of the school farm should be done by the school, and made educational. Students should be brought into contact with everything that is being done, and should be directed to study not alone the best methods, but also the science, and above all the gospel lessons involved.

The instruction is to be given by the regular teachers of the school, and not left to some farm manager of practical ability, but without experience or ability in teaching, with all other members of the faculty occupied merely with literary work. If the students are to get the education that is called for, it must be given by the same teachers who conduct the literary classes. Every member of the faculty must come into close daily contact with the work, or he will be unable to draw upon the daily work for the object-lessons of spiritual truth, and apply them effectively. This suggestion calls for much change and adaptation, and demands careful consideration. The greatest demands of this phase of educational reform are upon the teachers themselves. Further consideration of this will be given later.

H. A. WASHBURN.