DRASTIC OVERHAUL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 287, 15 September 1933, Page 3

DRASTIC OVERHAUL

THE EDUCATION SYSTEM. DEMANDED BY CONDITIONS. In the opinion of the chairman of the Ashburton Technical School Board, of Managers (Mr A. L. Jones), the time is fast approaching when a drastic overhaul of the educational system in New Zealand will have to be made.

Referring to the question in his annual sreport last evening, Mr Jones said :

i "The economic conditions obtaining to-day demand that we, as minor school authorities, assist the Department in every possible way to bring .i more decisive result from the efforts of that Department. We must cooperate with them in the administration of their policy and judicious expenditure of their funds. "While not wishing to offer undue or destructive criticism to this policy, I consider that the era is fast .approaching when the whole educational system of New Zealand will require a drastic overhaul. The methods of teaching, the policy of administration and distribution of funds, the staffing of schools, the grading of teachers, etc., must all, sooner or later, come under review. This is applicable alike to primary and secondary institutions. The stereotyped, even out-of-date system at present in vogue in New Zealand, must make way for something more up-to-date and more efficient. Yet this Department has been meted out unjust treatment by our Parliament in a serious curtailment of the educational vote with a resultant restricting of its activities. In but a short time the result of policy will be made manifest to the detriment, I think, of society as a whole. "The present crisis will only be removed after carefuT consideration and earnest endeavour. What chance has the future generation of producing men and women equal to the task of administration of local 'and national, affairs if the development of thenmental faculties are neglected by a half-baked, antiquated, inadequate educational system.