OUR EDUCATION

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 166, 16 July 1941, Page 8

OUR EDUCATION

SYSTEM PRAISED

MR. DUNLOP LOOKS BACK

Looking back on 50 years of experience in education, as a teacher, headmaster, inspector and as secretary of the Auckland Education Board, Mr. D. W. Dunlop, who retires at the end of this month, told the board some of his experiences—and his ideas on the educational system of this country. He had fears to express regarding the cutting out of examinations in primary schools, but declared that, in spite of some overseas criticism, the New Zealand systam had proved itself.

In days gone by—days of 50 years ago—we had been an insular people, cut off, he pointed out, from all the great centres of education in the world. We had, too, different aims and aspirations. Consequently, we had to develop politically, nationally and educationally on our own. There had been a great deal of criticism In recent years of the educational system we had evolved. He recalled that there had been one party of overseas educationists a few years back who had hardly landed on the wharf here before they criticised the grading system and practically everything else about our schools.

Proved by Results

"The proof of a system," said Mr. Dunlop, "is what it produces. Think of the boys who went away from here to the Boer War, to the Great War, and to this present war. What type of men were they? How did they behave themselves, both in battle and out of it? What records have they left behind? "In the field of scholarship think of the men who have joined the Colonial Service, the doctors who have gone overseas; think of Lord

Rutherford, of the numbers of men from the Schools of Mines—one of them who died last year was listed as one of the four greatest mining geologists in the world.

"Consider the field of sport, the field of aviation—any field you like. The young people of New" Zealand who have gone away have left their mark in the world, and they have all been good marks. Considering our population and other aspects, I am sure that no other country in the world could produce a record that would compare with what has been done by New Zealand and New Zealanders.

"The system that has produced that record doesn't want to be scrapped. It has been built up soundly and well by men whose directing force has been enthusiasm and sincerity."

Mr. Dunlop's remarks were made in response to tributes paid to him by members of the board, all of whom joined in offering good wishes for his retirement. Mr. W. J. Campbell, chairman of the board, referred to the fact that Mr. Dunlop had been 50 years in the board's employ, starting as a pupil teacher in 1891 at the age of 15 years. He had served in the Boer War, gaining his commission, and on rejoining the teaching service in 1902 had held various posts in the district. A motion recording the great service of Mr. Dunlop to the Auckland Education Board was passed unanimously.