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Saturday, September 23, 2023

Durham Night Schools for Interested Citizens, Sept. 23, 1923

Night School Will be Held in City Schools This Winter

Opportunity will again be given to the people of the city who have not had the advantages of education as they desire to attend night schools to be conducted by the city school system in various sections of the city. For the past few years, night schools have been conducted with great success with men and women of varying ages and children entering. Many people because of the lack of advantages neglected their education in the days of their youth. They now have an opportunity of taking courses of instruction that will better equip them for their places in life.

The following statement by Prof. F.M. Martin, superintendent of the city school system, explains the schools that are to be conducted this term:

The first term of the night schools of the Durham city school system will open on Monday, October 1st, at 7:30 p.m. Schools for the negro will be operated at the negro school buildings, three in number. A school for the whites will be operated at the Edgemont school. On Monday, October 15th, another school for special classes for the whites will be opened at the high school.

The object of these schools is to put an elementary education within the reach of all those who have been denied the privilege of taking this education in earlier life. No one under 14 years of age will be admitted. These schools present an opportunity that should not be neglected by any who desire to become better citizens and more efficient workers. In these days earning ability bears a very high correlation to the education of the individual. The interest of all persons who feel that they could be benefitted by these courses is earnestly solicited.

We wish to commend these courses also to the careful consideration of all employers of labor. It is hoped that corporations and others who may employ large numbers will see in the night school an opportunity to increase the efficiency of their employees. When requested by the employer, the night school will send regular reports of the progress of the employee who is enrolled.

These schools will be taught by the regular teachers of the day schools and will be under the supervision of the city board of education. They are financed entirely by the city as a municipal undertaking for the betterment of the people of Durham.

While the three negro schools and the school at Edgemont for whites are intended primarily for those lacking in academic education, the school at the high school will be for special subjects. At this school will be offered courses in cooking, sewing, automobile mechanics, mechanical drawing, bookkeeping, typewriting, millinery, and business English. No course will be given where there are fewer than 15 applicants. A course in any other subject will be offered if the demand is sufficiently great. Persons desiring instruction in any line within the scope of the high school are requested to make their wishes known to the superintendent.

The first term will consist of a course of 30 lessons. This will necessitate 15 weeks when the lessons are given twice a week and 10 weeks when the school is held three times a week. Students who register at these schools are expected to sign a statement pledging themselves to attend as regularly as possible and to diligently pursue the course of instruction. The night school is no place for idlers.

The superintendent takes this means of enlisting the interest of the community in general to this undertaking. We believe that the scope of the public schools can be greatly widened in this way and the needs of the community be met in a very practical way.

From page 11 of the Durham Morning Herald, Sept. 23, 1923

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