TRENDS IN EDUCATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 230, 29 September 1930, Page 17

TRENDS IN EDUCATION.

ENGLAND AND NEW ZEALAND. HEADMASTER'S OPINIONS. V* DANGER IN CENTRALISATION.

That the extension of the age limit for school childen to 15 years would be one of the greatest factors for the uplift of future generations in England was predicted by Mr. C. M. Littlejohn, headmaster of the Takapuna Grammar School, in the course of an address on the subject of education at the Devonport Orphans' Club on' Saturday evening. This was a period of unrest in matters relating to education, the speaker said, and in this respect New Zealand promised not to be behind other countries. Vocational training was all very well, he thought, provided it was not started too early. It was essential to cultivate hobbies in children, for it was necessary to occupy their time profitably, and thereby counteract certain evils. The speaker advocated the study of reading and music, as once such habits were formed they had gone some distance, and one-of the greatest difficulties was solved. Speaking of instruction in agricultural science, Mr. Littlejohn contended that it should be taught in schools apart from the city. It did not appeal to him for schools to impose an agricultural bias in city schools, especially in grammar schools, for it had been estimated that only 19 per cent of secondary school children went on to the land. Touching on the absence of snobbishness from our schools, the speaker stated the son of a labourer was equal to the son of a professional man. It was brains that told, and brains would determine every position. Speaking of the reorganisation of educational affairs in New Zealand, Mr. Littlejohn gave it as his opinion that the proposed centralisation movement in Wellington was not worth the snap of a linger. It would destroy all interest in education. If educational affairs were to be conducted from Wellington efficiency and interest must diminish. There was, therefore, an element of danger iq, impending legislation.