Broader Training Of Teachers

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31522, 9 November 1967, Page 16

Broader Training Of Teachers

Three-year training of primary teachers was aimed to help students in their personal development, to broaden their general academic background, and to give sound professional preparation. The Christchurch Teachers’ College was pleased with the first year of the new scheme, the vice-principal of the college (Dr J. F. Mann) told the Canterbury School Committees’ Association last evening.

Dr Mann said it should not be forgotten that the former programme crowded 11 or 12 subjects for all trainees into a rigid daily pattern, allowed little individual choice, and put some students before classes at the age of 19. The three-year programme, with compulsory English, professional education and syllabus studies, and optional selected studies, gave a variety of, say. six subjects, covered in greater depth and carefully integrated in their academic and teaching in-

struction and in progressive; classroom practice. University units, formerly i taken on top of the college programme, could now be coordinated with it, to the advantage of all concerned. Dr Mann said some thought personality in teachers was more a matter of selection than of training; but the college believed it could provide an environment to mature ideas. There was one lecturer to every 18 students and this allowed close personal oversight and help. However, about 71 per cent got through to their proba-tionary-assistant year, a loss rate from various causes which was too high.

Asked whether the more solid academic basis of courses meant that the more academic students were preferred, Dr Mann said these were by no means the determining characteristics of a good teacher. He said he would look for many others, including humour, humanity, and humility. “However, I am certain that the new course will provide New Zealand with better-qualified and betterprepared teachers,” Dr Mann said.