EDUCATION SYSTEM

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 49, Issue 199, 8 June 1929, Page 5

EDUCATION SYSTEM

THE COUNTRY SCHOOLS.

A CHANCE DEEMED DESIRABLE.

AGRICULTURAL COUNCIL'S VIEWS

The Mid-Canterbury Council of Agricultural Education met this morning, when Mr M.'P. W. Blathwayt was in the chair. At the last meeting it was decided that consideration he given to the following questions:— Is a change from the present education system necessary? If so, what form should' the change take: (a) Should a top, that is Standards above Standard VI. be added to primary schools? (b) Should all pupils be removed from primary to postprimary schools after passing Standard IV.? (c) Should selected pupils be allowed to proceed to post-primary schools after" passing Standard IV.? What is MJie most desirable form a post-primary school should take? (a) In country schools; (b) in smaller towns; (e) in large towns. In what manner can our system of school arrangement be improved? The chairman said they were agreed that the system enjoyed in the towns might not be applicable to the country districts. It had been said the dearest education was the best. This was not altogether true, but a good education was certainly costly. Indications pointed to a system of junior high schools in the town: and consolidated schools in the country. Mr R. J. Thompson said that fiom the point of a child, a change was l necessary. In towns the children were put into a' class containing between" 30 and 60 pupils, and were under the supervision of one teacher for a year. In country schools the primer classes right up to Standard VI. were under the control of one teacher, and this was in cases a disadvantage, as the teacher was often unable to give individual attention to the children.

Regarding the change, Mr J. Brown said it was necessary. He considered a change should be made at the age of 12 years, when both the emotional and physical stages had to be taken into consideration. Children of from 12 to 15 years should be put into separate schools. He did not think equal consideration could be given the country pupils by the addition of tops to Standard VI. Mr F. G. Evans said the aim of the education Department was that from the age of 11, the pupil should cease a primary course and carry on a rotation of education. According to the Minister, consolidation of country schools was favoured, and agricultural education would play a prominent part in the future. There was a great deal of improvement that could be made in the present educational system. He was very keen on the Agricultural High School, and favoured a change from the present system. The meeting was unanimous that a change should be made.

The Question cf Staffing. The chairman considered the additions of tops to country schools would he difficult from the point of view of staffing. It would mean that either increased staffing or inadequate staffing would result. Mr J. Brown considered that tops should only be added in isolated rural schools where the pupils were unable to attend a Junior High School or Technical School. In the other schools, consolidation should be carried on as at present. He was speaking as a farmer witli a knowledge of country education. Messrs R. McGregor and R. J. Thompson agreed with Mr Brown. Mr Thompson considered that, _ m general, teachers before obtaining position in secondary schools, should be compelled to have a two-years course in consolidated country or district high schools, as at present laid down for primary schools. Mr J. Brown suggested that MiThompson's remarks be held over for further consideration as they required careful thought. At present every primary school teacher had to have experience in country schools. The chairman thought that, in towns, and wherever practicable, all children | after Standard IV. should be transferred to post-primary schools. Mr J. Brown said he would like to see it compulsory, although there would need to be a certain amount of elasticity. Mr F. G. Evans said if it were not made compulsory, the country schools would remain where they were. From a point of view of trades Mr Thompson said that many parents would wish to have their boys started in a trade as soon as possible. Part of the weakness of the present system, said 1 the chairman, was that a Standard VI. education was not considered sufficient. The meeting was unanimous that all children after passing Standard IV. should proceed* to a post-primary school, provision to be made for exceptional cases such as already provided for under the Education Act.

Mr J. Brown said if a Letter system of education could be attained, increased cost would bo unwarranted. The question of what form would be most desirable for a post-primary school to take was then discussed. Mr J. Brown said there should l>e a consolidation of schools, while TuTi use should be made of district high schools. In smaller centres, new secondary schools should bo of the present Technical-High School types. He would not like to see the Standard V. and Standard VI. classes attached to the secondary schools. It was decided that further discussion be deferred.