HISTORY IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18147, 9 August 1924, Page 14

HISTORY IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

♦— Papers on "The Teaching of History in Secondary Schools" were read at last night's meeting of the New Zealand Historical Association by Miss M.' B. Eobertson and Messrs A. K. AiSkr son and D. Arnott. The papers expressed the views that history could do something for a child that nothing else could doj and that it taught a boy instead of unhesitatingly accepting the ready-made opinions of others to use his own intelligence. The effects of history were great, it was stated, and made a considerable contribution in the formation of character. Complaint was made that the scope of history teaching was unfortunately dominated in secondary schools by matriculation. Among the suggestions made to brine about improvement were the establish" meat of libraries in such schools, the teaching of the system of local government and historical geography, and the more liberal uso of historical novels. The necessity was also stressed of every teacher of history being an enthusiast, and of a better classification being made of historical periods than was done at present. Subsequently the papers were discussed by those present, and the contributors were thanked for their papers. Mr C. B. Ferris was in the chair, and about 30 were present.