MODERN EDUCATION

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23715, 13 August 1942, Page 4

MODERN EDUCATION

ADDRESS BY SENIOR SCHOOL INSPECTOR Modern developments in education since the abolition of the proficiency examination in primary schools were described to the Canterbury School Committees’ Association by Mr S. Irwin, senior inspector to the Canterbury Education Board, last evening. The essence of the new training was practical instruction which would serve the pupils in later life, he said, .With the bugbear of the proficiency examination removed there was no longer the handicap on the scholar who might have an “off day” or be temperamental at tests, he said. Tedious work in arithmetic had been reduced to provide more time for speech training and other elementary but essentially important topics. An investigation made by Mr Irwin for the Education Department as to the requirements of businessmen in their staff had shown that a thorough grounding in mechanical arithmetic was all that was required. Bankruptcy, stocks and shares sums had little value, since tables were provided in offices and in any case the commercial systems were quite different from those taught in schools. Manipulation of money, a knoweldge of weights and measures and percentages were the essential requirements. Particular attention was given to the physical endurance of 'the child and attraction of interest was a prime consideration, Mr Irwin said. The important responsibility of the infant teacher was now being fully appreciated.’ Increasing use was being made of specialists in music and physical training, the latter employing modern recreational methods. Dramatisation was being encouraged. Verse-speaking and correct tuition in speaking had replaced the damaging tests of memory formerly called “poetry.” which had poisoned so many young people against verse.

Impractical essays such as “How would you spend £100?” had been discouraged, and letter-writing, including descriptive sketches and the composition of short books, were being introduced so as to give useful training and not mere practices in elaboration. Happiness and co-operation among all concerned was the chief and ultimate aim, Mr Irwin said.