TEACHING METHODS

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28198, 9 February 1957, Page 3

TEACHING METHODS

Sir, —I, too, am a parent who objects to my children being used as guinea pigs for “modern educational’’ experiments. How can the group method, as I understand it, succeed in such woefully understaffed and ill-equipped schools as ours so obviously are? Could not the common sense of average parents prevail for once against the whims of these <ocalled “professional educationalists?” I am just one of the army of parents who themselves are forced to have their children instructed in the rudiments so that they may not emerge from school as hopeless illiterates.—Yours, etc., PAYING A TUTOR. February 8, 1957. Sir, —Having read the letters in your paper on this subject, I feel I cannot let the opportunity pass without some comment. Although I am not a parent, I am sure that I have been confronted with more cases of incorrect spelling than any individul parent ever has. I have been appalled at what is supposed to be correct spelling from the present generation, in fact, so much so, that I felt it my duty to write to the Education Board and implore it to change the present method of teaching this important subject.—Yours, etc., PUBLIC TYPISTE. February 8, 1957.

Sir,—The correspondence proyoked by Mr Johnson’s remarks is evidence that widespread dissatisfaction exists amongst discerning parents about the way their children are being taught in primary schools. What is required is a vigorous and thorough probe of the present teaching methods imposed by the Education Department and reform tc the satisfaction of parents. Inquiry should not be confined io giving the more vocal but not necessarily the more competent section of the teaching profession and educationists. so called, another opportunity to tell the public how wonderful they are.— Yours, etc., WORRIED PARENT. February 8. 1957. DOGS Sir,—lt was pleasant to read of the street gardens in this city. When I was younger I tried growing flowers outside the fence. Now only a few remain, but I still attempt to keep it tidy, as the council has insufficient staff to do the job. For months there has been a man with a dog on a leash coming regularly along the street who deliberately drags his big dog to my side to use the earth for his dog's convenience; so it is not possible even to keep the weeds down. Can anything be done to stop this filthy practice? —Yours, etc., DISGUSTED. February 8, 1957.