Aspects Of Life Outside School

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31101, 2 July 1966, Page 4

Aspects Of Life Outside School

Beyond School. By Michael Hansen and Derek Wood. Oxford University Press. 190 pp. This book departs from the usual pattern of school texts in Social Studies by dealing (with practical aspects of life ) outside school and in seeking i to give a solid understanding of the meaning of citizenship. ;The need for such a book has been evident in New Zealand ifor some time and the Prime [Minister’s 1964 Youth Forum [asked that more attention be: given to the teaching of practical civics. Originally ■ published in Britain as “A Citizen of Today,” “Beyond School” has been extensively revised in the light of New Zealand conditions by a Christchurch teacher, Mr Derek Wood, and is intended as a fourth form textbook through which pupils can be introduced to the economic and social aspects of the world they will find when they leave school. There are chapters on work, money, business and trade; [unions; the functioning of; government at local and: national levels; national income and spending; trade and standards of living. The; text, backed by many clear 1 diagrams, is much more than [a bald -statement of facts suitably simplified for!4-year-olds. The authors have not eschewed controversial issues

including some of particular; importance in New Zealand — race relations, private enterprise versus nationalisation, and responsibility to underdeveloped countries. The various points of view are presented with admirable clarity and fairness. Then each chapter ends with a number of questions designed for class discussion and exercises. There is no over-all bibliography but relevant books and pamphlets likely! to be available to school! libraries are listed at the end; |of each section. The book: thus lends itself to a number of uses in the classroom —i as a textbook, as a take-off point for discussions, as a source of material for projects, and as a guide to wider reading. It could be a remarkable experience to hear a group of junior secondary school pupils discussing, for example, the distribution of the Maori work-force in the North Island in relation to the work available, the importance of [New Zealand trade fairs ! abroad, or whether trade union members should follow the direction of their union without question. i If this book achieves the wide use it deserves it should be a practical and stimulating guide to many of| our future citizens, and to those who educate them- A suggestion for the second!

edition—certain chapters could be enhanced by carefully chosen photographs, provided these did not increase the price beyond what can be expected for a textbook. It would also be of great benefit if Mr Wood could find time to produce a second volume, elaborating in depth for senior forms many of the themes so ably introduced in “Beyond School.”