PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 114, 16 May 1931, Page 7

PRIMARY SCHOOLS

TEACHING OF ARITHMETIC

A decision was made yesterday afternoon by the New Zealand Educational Institute to appoint a recess committee to consider the question of the teaching of arithmetic in the primary schools. The Auckland branch of the institute was asked to take charge of the investigation.

In introducing the subject, Mr. S. Walker (Auckland) said he had in his mind the revival .of research work, which, in his opinion, was particularly necessary at the present time The subject of arithmetic appeared to pro-vide-a fine field for original research. Hohad unbounded admiration for both New Zealand teachers and New Zealand pupils, and it seemed to-him. that the Dominion should be able to giya something original to educational thought, for the simple reason that conditions to that end were so good;in New Zealand.

Mr. F. A. Garry agreed that the ! time had arrived when the investigation suggested should be made. '■■■■■ The chairman (Mr. H. F. Penlington) '.said . the' matter - had been brought, under the notice of the Director of Education early in,the year. The Director suggested that the.institute should appoint a committee and the Department Would do the same, after which both committees could confer.