TRAINING TEACHERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 18, 22 January 1926, Page 9

TRAINING TEACHERS.

WHERE THE SYSTEM FAILS. SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENT. COLLEGE AXD UNIVERSITY COURSES. "It is. I think, a. matter for serious consideration that so few of our students are availing themselves of the opportunity of taking a science course at the University College/ said Mr. H. <i. Cousins, principal of the Training College, in his report on the year's work to the Education Board. "The same applies to mathematics." , he continued. "As a good knowledge of these subjects is essential for teachers- in district high schools it is very desirable that a number should be making preparation for their future work by improving their qualilications with a University course." The Cause Found. "It is not difficult to find the cause of this," he said. "The University courses in science require much more time from the students than do subjects like history, economics and education, and attendance at laboratories is required at set hours, which are often inconvenient."

"As any University course, in conjunction with a Training College course, places on a student a heavy burden, it is natural that students should avoid making it heavier than the regulations require,' , Mr. Cousins went on. "So they tend to avoid the sciences and mathematics and to select those subjects in which they are more hopeful of immediate success." The Remedy Suggested. "The remedy lies, I think, in some specialising in the training for district high school and secondary school work, with certain definite requirements insisted upon as to the balance of subjects selected for a course. This, together with a third year for the couse. would easily effect the change desirable. As principal it is one of my duties to approve of the subjects selected for University study by each student, and so I may be regarded as responsible for the position that is arising."

"I have no wish to shirk the responsibility," said Mr. Cousins, "but I do not feel justified in disregarding the awkward conditions which lead students to decide upon a course that is often, in my opinion, too narrow for their best development. Apart from this limitation, the university work of the year at the Training College has been highly gratifying."

Just here it might be remarked that of the 15 premiums ' awarded by the University live went to the Training College students. The subjects were education, .history.,, philosophy, economics and geology. Drawing and Teaching Praised. Touching on the question of drawing, the report stated there was little doubt that the students were gaining power. There was more confidence' more willingness to essay the difficult, and to apply the art in varied directions. In reports received from critic teachers on the work done by students attached to their classes, it had been very encouraging to the principal to read of the use students had been making of their blackboard drawing in lessons in various subjects. This was also true of handiwork in many ways.

The improvement in practical teaching, noted the previous year, had been well maintained during I!l2o. Nothing could be more gratifying than the accumulating evidence from critic teachers that this important phase of college work was stronger than ever. From the outset it has been the main objective.

"The steady maintenance and advancement of the standard of this work reflects very favourably on our system, which pivots round model or observation lessons given in college to classes from the Normal School by six members of the staff/ said Mr. Cousins. Athletic and Social Side. The year just passed had been a very happy one in college. The Social Committee had carried through the usual season's programme with marked success. The general improvement in bearing, dress, etc., as a result of the college social life, was marked.

'"I have never felt better pleased with results achieved than this year," said the principal. Only those who come into close personal contact with the students can properly realise the value of the good work the college is doing in this wav; for those 'of us who know it i≤ gratifying.

"The tone has never been finer," Mr. Cousins went on to say. "In sport, too, the season has been a happy and successful one. Our trophies cupboard i= full of cups and vases won by the college teams in various branches of sport. The chief distinction, of which the men are rightly proud, is the winning, for the first time in the history of the college, of the Rugby Union second grade championship by our senior football team." On the women's side of the Training College's activities in sport, distinction was won in basket ball, the teams winning the Auckland championships in both first and second grades. On the whole the physique of the students and their keenness in healthy sport had been a feature of the year. Moving to New Building. The principal gave much praise to the whole of the students for the manner in which they had assisted in the removal from the college in Wellesley Street to the new premises at Mount Eden. They had accomplished their task with skill and expedition. Four motor lorries had been busy throughout the day, and only three loads had been left for the second day. When it was considered that all the science apparatus, museum specimens, pictures, etc, had been safely transported, the achievement was distinctly good. The students had proved themselves capable, careful, and resourceful. The college rule, '"Use your common sense," was never better exemplified than in that particular day's work. With the exception of the drivers of the motor lorries jio labour was employed either for packing or carrying. A considerable sum had been saved by this cheerful service.