W.E.A. Again Plans Wide Study Courses

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28250, 11 April 1957, Page 14

W.E.A. Again Plans Wide Study Courses

For the forty-first year the Workers’ Educational Association in Christchurch offers enthusiasts who work through the day an opportunity to study the outlines of and even advanced courses in languages, art, chemistry, music, literature, foreign affairs, psychology. public speaking, economics and other subjects allied to university study in New Zealand.

In a special prospectus for 1957 the association says: “Workers’ Education Association classes are open to every young person and adult in the community. No-one need fear being out of his depth. Class members are ordinary men and .women representing a crosssection of the community—manual clerical and professional workers and housewives; young, middle-aged and elderly.” The association, which works closely with the Canterbury University College Council, sets no examinations, does not demand written homework; nor does it expect the purchase by students of expensive text books. For a small payment the association arranges a course of weekly lectures on any selected subject, or subjects, and class discussions and questions are encouraged.

The main aim of the association is to foster an interchange of ideas and experiences, to mould what would be wasted hours into a year of compact learning and entertainment which in many other countries is limited purely to. orthodox university education. informality is the keynote of the lectures and prominent uni-

versity lecturers and professors combine with acknowledged public speakers and leaders as a lecture panel. Almost 40 subjects are available to workers.

“The governing body 'of the W.E.A. is the district council, which is composed of delegates from affiliated organisations and representatives of the students of each class and of the ordinary and associate members of the association. The tutors are chosen, and the teaching is supervised by the tutorial class committee. This committee consists of delegates from the Canterbury University College Council and the district council,” says the association booklet.