PRIMARY SCHOOLS.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17316, 30 November 1921, Page 2

PRIMARY SCHOOLS.

♦ : THE EXAMINATION INCUBTTS. "Until the system of appraising schools and school-teachers by the method of examination is further modilied it is hopeless to expect teachers to break. away from traditional methods and show originality," writes Mr T. B. Strong, chief-inspector of primary schools/ in his annual report. "With greater freedom from the examination incubus will come to both inspectors and teachers greater opportunities for realising the highest aims and ideals in teaching. Education will then come into its own, and cramming will bo banished. There will be time to consider th 0 rights of the child rather than the necessities of the teacher; there will bo freedom for the pupil to advance at «th e pace and in the manner best suited to his mental and physical development, and time also for the inspector to inspire the teacher by example as well as by precept. I feel sure that under a freer system of inspection the official estimate of the efficiency of the teacher will not los e but gain in reliability. Hand in hand with any reform must go increased opportunity for the inspector to study the more recent developments in educational thought and practice. It will not do for him to be as closely tied as he is at present to an unceasing round of visits, and to have little opportunity to replenish his store of ideas and draw fresh inspiration from the fountains of knowledge. There must be time and,opportunity both for study aj»d-<HSbiission, and I can conceive of' nothing better than the inspectorial staffs organising reading and discussion circles with their teachers "