Claiborne Schools—100 Years Ago

BY JIMMY DEAN, Feature Writer, The Guardian-Journal

            The year was 1910. The oil boom had not yet hit Claiborne Parish. The mule and plow reigned as automobiles were still in their childhood. Also in the cradle were X-ray technology, the telephone, the refrigerator, even the zipper.

            Claiborne Parish, however, had 62 public schools in 1910, 26 for blacks and 36 for whites. Early schools at first were crude structures; some being plantation buildings. Community churches, often only one room, were frequently used for schools during the week, then church services on week-ends. Back then, seating was hard benches with neither backrests nor armrests.

            As schools began to be built, there was a gradual movement away from using churches for classrooms. Early schools, however, were crude structures with primitive heating, open wells for water, and no electric lights. Toilets were outside. Until the 1950s, public school buses were unheard of; hence, both teachers and students walked to school, some walking up to five miles one way.

            Those wanting to teach were not required to complete any particular course of study. They could become teachers by taking a test administered by the local superintendent. Passing the test brought a teaching certificate. Pay was low. Pay disparity between men and women was common, men usually being paid more.

            There were no free textbooks. Parents bought textbooks for their children. As a rural parish, Claiborne schools were in session only when children could be spared from the farm. That was usually only two-three months in the summer. Some teachers taught for $25 a month, from which they paid $5 for room and board. Salaries were sometimes paid or supplemented by parents' donations.

            One-room schools were still around as late as the 1950s. By then, school was being held in winter months too, up to seven or eight months a year at some places. Teachers routinely taught all grades from 1-7. Overcrowded classes were common. Some one-teacher schools reported 80 pupils distributed over grades 1-7, all in one classroom. A standard curriculum included "the 3 R's—readin', `ritin', and 'rithmatick"—plus language and geography.

            What did students do for fun? No proms or homecoming dances. No parades with convertibles. No football games with cheerleaders or pep rallies. But there were usually holiday programs at Thanksgiving and Christmas. There were end of school term exercises to demonstrate academic achievement.

            Also for fun, there were occasional box suppers. Boys were allowed to select the girl of their choice to eat with. Many boys were too shy to eat in public with a girl.

            Physical education consisted of ring plays and rag ball. Sometimes they played basketball on the ground outdoors because indoor gyms were unknown.

            High schools were not common. Eleventh grade was the highest offered back then.

            Look forward in coming weeks to more articles on many of the old schools in Claiborne Parish. Information on schools and the history of education in Claiborne Parish is being researched by Linda Volentine for the Herbert S. Ford Memorial Museum in Homer. She would appreciate any additional information about any early schools in the parish, especially  pictures, artifacts, or other memorabilia. Volentine may be contacted at the museum at 927-9190 on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday.