On a closer inquiry into the organization of these proper
Folk's-schools, the great variety of the same however strikes us, and
we cannot here omit to notice a circumstance which is of the most
essential importance. In many--yes, in most of the country schools, are
the school establishments subdivided according to the different
confessions of faith; and this circumstance extends itself even to the
schools of the smallest villages. Although the greater part of these
are placed under the jurisdiction of a High Board, and are formed, more
or less, on a common plan, yet the disadvantage is not to be denied,
which must necessarily result from such a system of subdivision. We
have observed above how much all Catholic countries lay behind in
popular enlightenment, which alone flourishes through popular
instruction; and we must, we regret to say, remark that this sorrowful
experience again manifests itself as an attribute of these aforesaid
school institutions. How very different is it in the Protestant
schools! If unlimited freedom of teaching is given to those as well as
these, yet the opinions taught are very different, and the consequences
of an all-too scrupulous observation of dogmatic forms, not the most
agreeable, are seen in the Catholic schools. On the contrary, the
Protestant schools follow, free from constraint, every direction of the
mind, and the foundation of a philosophical system is here first
discernible.
In strong contradistinction to both these, stand the so-called
Communal-schools, as those which are intended for children of each
denomination. These schools, wherever they exist, exert the most
beneficent influence on the people. The foundation pillars of all human
happiness. Tolerance and Intelligence, find here the securest
guarantees for their enduring existence; since, however much men have
striven or may strive to counteract them, it continues still
incontestably true, that the first impressions on the minds of children
are the most vivid and permanent, and the spirit in later years of life
pursues its course in accordance with such impressions. It requires no
demonstration to show how rich in blessings is such a school system;
and the reader will excuse us turning now to a further pursuit of our
theme.
It is particularly to be observed, that various attempts have been made
to extend these school regulations so far as to allow boys and girls to
be taught altogether in one and the same class. Such experiments were,
however, for the most part confined to such places where the
circumstances entirely permitted their trial, which was only here and
there; and such school dispositions yet exist. But generally, the
instruction is given to boys and girls in one building, but in separate
rooms.
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