Country Dwellers Can Have Advance Rural Education

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 42, 23 September 1949, Page 3

Country Dwellers Can Have Advance Rural Education

Many Bay of Plenty people living in the country have taken advantage of the Auckland Adult Rural Education Service. It is available to most country dwellers, distance now no longer being a barrier.

A glance at a typical programme reveals" a wide range of interests and activities. Tutors are available to take classes in arts and crafts, drama, music, . dressmaking and a large numberof general subjects.' For persons in more remote areas there are ingenious methods of instruction. Drama and crafts are taught by skilfullyplanned “box courses,” consisting of printed material, samples and explicit instructions. Many Subjects

Subjects such as economics, sociology, world affairs, science, literature, art, music and psychology in all its branches lend themselves to the discussion-course method. Spe-cially-devised for New Zealand conditions, this method involves nothing' more difficult than organising a group of six to 12 people who meet regularly to discuss lectures sent out by the college. These groups have proved so interesting that cases are on record of groups which have met each winter for over 11 years. A new development is the Community Arts Service, by which distinguished artists, dramatic companies and exhibitions of art have been taken into remote areas. Li'li, Kraus and Richard Farrell travelled the Auckland province under the scheme, while the Goodwin Theatre reached places as small as Paparoa in North Auckland. Many of these visits leave permanent results in the form of newly-organised arts and repertory societies. Energy & Enthusiasm Energy and enthusiasm seem to be the distinguishing marks of adult education tutors. Large districts, inadequate means of conveyance, flood, fire, earthquake or frequent disappointments do not deter them. Their claim is that if country people interested in keeping up some old cultural contact or reaching out to a new one, write in to the Director of Adult Education of their nearest University College, the tutors-will reach them, “even if they have to swim the last half mile.”