THE TASK OF THE TEACHER

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 110, 11 May 1943, Page 2

THE TASK OF THE TEACHER

OVER fifty per cent of New Zealand's men teachers are now serving with the forces, according to a statement made by the president of the New Zealand Educational Institute at the annual meeting to-day. In spite of that, and of other difficulties, he is of opinion that education has not gone back, but rather that it has made defim e forward progress in many directions. An assurance of this kind, coming from such a source, is comforting, and is m itself a great tribute to the men and women left behind and to the assistance which has been given them by the State. Mr. Forsyth points to the achievements of our men overseas, and to the manner in which they have measured up to the highest standards demanded by their commanders and our leaders as proof that our system will bear comparison with those of most countries. The argument is a valid one, but it must be accepted only as a challenge to the future and an earnest of the better things which may be expected when the return of the men from overseas will open new opportunities and new vistas to our educationists, lie also enumerated some present weaknesses. Classes are too l & rge and buildings too small. Equipment is_ inefficient, there is still too much traditionalism and conservatism in the system, and there is still not "equal opportunity for all.*' A recognition of these defects is the first essential for their • correction, and it is well that the president of the institute-has- pointed them out so - clearly. He has also done the country-a- service by- reminding it that'while the fundamental aim of teaching is .moral training and character building, the home and the Church have a great place in and responsibility for this part of the training of our youth. Too many parents fail to accept their share of the responsibility, throwing it all on to a school in which they take no active" interest or a Church which they do not attend. A vast tolerance, patience and understanding are essential to a solution of the many problems of the future, and that solution rests, in the lsst issue, iil ; the homes of the people. The importance of individual character cannot be over-emphasised. There has been too much reliance on classes, on schools, on nations, on collections of men and women, too "little recognition of the fact that the character of a nation depends on the characters of the men and women of whom it is composed.