EDUCATION OF GIRLS

Press, Volume C, Issue 29502, 2 May 1961, Page 15

EDUCATION OF GIRLS

Submissions To Commission (N Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, May 1. Women were the hope of the world, because man’s aggressive selfishness threatened universal disaster and the women might follow blindly, said Dr. J. H. Murdoch, an Auckland educationist, before the Commission of Education today. He was appealing for a closer examination of the post-primary education of girls. Dr. Murdoch suggested that a systematic study be made by a competent group of experienced women teachers and parents, prepared to examine the matter in all its aspects, free from the bias of a man-inspired tradition. The issue was vitally important. Dr. Murdoch criticised the uniformity of aims and practice in education. “Everywhere there is the same type of school and teacher, the same subject matter, examinations and surroundings,” he said.

He would like to see some variety. Teachers should be given more freedom and trust by the Education Department. All schools tried to have specialists in every subject, he said. Surely somewhere these resources could be pooled. Private schools should be freer of regulations, because they were supported by people of standing, who had ideas.