SOLDIER TEACHERS.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 221, 17 September 1919, Page 9

SOLDIER TEACHERS.

REFRESHER COURSE SHELVED. Ti!i« suggestion that soldier teachers should be given a refresher course came again before the Auckland Education Board to-day, when a letter -was received from the Department stating that it "was ■difficult to sec tihat any Teal ibenefit would accrue from ithe proposal. TJi e idea, which emanated in the first place from Mr. 11. S. Cousins, principal of the Training , College, -was that the teachers undergoing the course be quartered near the Normal School, and that the course include discussion on educational methods, model lessons, educational debates, principles of infant teaching and the like. The letter from the Department stated that it would appear that discussion on educational principles and tine theoretic side of education generally was not what the soldier teachers require. But what they specially needed was to apply the training they received during their training college course in actual school work. Generally, the Department conceded the possible advantages would not justify the organisation of the scheme, even if a number of teachers could be found to attend the course. In a report to the Board, Mr. Cousins said that he considered the Department had not treated the matter in a generous spirit, and that its criticism was wholly destructive. In the circumstances he felt liinieelf compelled to rcL-ommend that no further action be taken. The communication from the Department received.