EDUCATION IN AMERICA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 212, 22 February 1872, Page 7

EDUCATION IN AMERICA.

At the Philosophical Institution, Edinburgh, on the 17th November, 1871, Professor N. Sheppanl delivered a lecture on America. The first topic taken up was that of American education, of which the Professor gave a pretty full and most interesting account. He explained that the common school system is in operation throughout the Union, the General Legislature, as well as the various State Legislatures, doing everything in their power to foster education and science. There are fourteen millions of children in the States attending the schools. The Bible is read, but no religious instruction peculiar to any denomination is given, though children may be withdrawn during certain hours to receive such instruction, on a representation being made to that effect. Education is free, except that the parents pay the tax for the support of the schools. The object of the system is to elevate the whole mass of the population, to give the whole people the training best adapted to make them useful citizent. So far, it has rather tended to make the many useful than the few ornamental ; and whereas the English system produces scholars, that of America produces men of affaire. With this common school system, private enterprise cannot compete in the large cities. The Roman Catholic community has tried to compete ; but, while they have failed to get the control of any school board, their own schools, getting none of the Protestant children, cannot get all the children of their own persuasion. In regard to religion, the denominational Universities and the Sunday schools supplement the common schools, and form a complete system of religious education. Speaking of the Universities, the lecturer referred in particular to that of Michigan as completely equipped in every department except theology, for which the people won't pay taxes. Both sexes are admitted to its instruction, and this has been found so far a complete success.