Centre Acadien, Université Sainte-Anne

Clare's Small Schools - The generation of Clare's residents born in the mid-twentieth century, is fond of recalling the small one or two-classroom schools found in nearly every village: the wood-burning stove in the middle of the room, the water tank in a corner with its paper cups, the "outhouse", the "merit awards" made of cardboard in various colors that could be won for each subject, the desks for two students...

Former students especially remember schoolteachers who taught all subjects for all grades. The larger schools had a “older side” and “younger side”, with two teachers. The school consisted of students from families with five to ten children. Due to the level of respect that the teachers instilled among the students, discipline problems were infrequent and quickly settled.

Readers and math books were placed on shelves in class sets. They were distributed to students when the subject was taught. Students had to memorize the answers contained in the catechism book, the only book that belonged to them, as well as the multiplication table. Reading, writing and arithmetic... this was essential knowledge for getting by in life during that time, which was very different from today’s way of life.

Topic: Education

Date: [ca. 1950]

Reference: John Collier Collection Centre Acadien Photo 8

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