Notwithstanding these extensive enlargements, pupils have been turned away from several of our institutions because of lack in school accommodations and in teaching force. In one school the Principal tells us of a boy who applied for admission to the school. He could not take him. In a few days a leading business man of the city called to intercede in the boy’s behalf, but every corner of the school was full. “If there is a case of sickness or removal for any cause, will you not promise to let that boy have the first chance?” pleaded his earnest friend. But this boy was only one of many such boys and girls. At another Institution the Principal reported at one time during the year that there were twenty-five families who were waiting for an opening in the school, that they might send one or more pupils there.
In a school-room fitted to accommodate fifty-two pupils if every desk were full, I counted ninety-six, and the teacher reported shortly afterwards that one hundred and eight were present. It goes without saying that it is impossible to do the best sort of school work under such circumstances as these, and the A. M. A. seeks to do only the best work.
One of three things is evidently true in reference to the educational work of the Association: We must either sacrifice the character of the work, or reduce the amount of work done, or have more money. Which shall it be?
Industrial training holds a still more important place than ever in the course of instruction in our schools. The new Industrial buildings at Williamsburg, Tougaloo and Straight are already occupied with interested classes.
There are now taught at Tougaloo, in industrial branches: Farming, Tinning, Blacksmithing, Wagon-making, Carpentering, Painting, the use of Steam Power in Sawing and otherwise. The boy who completes a course of instruction in the wagon-making department can build, iron, paint and prepare for market, wagons or carriages, beginning with iron in the bar and timber in the rough.
The Industrial training for girls shows similar advancement. The work has been better systematized, and regular grades in housekeeping and sewing have been established. Kitchen gardening, which is the æsthetic name for all sorts of unæsthetic household work, has been introduced into several of our schools. In one instance the A. M. A. missionary has been invited to organize classes for Industrial training in the white public schools of the city, on account of her superior skill in teaching in this line.