Secondary school curricula

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33628, 2 September 1974, Page 12

Secondary school curricula

Sir, — Professor Nuthall has made strong criticisms of “the irrelevant system in use in most New Zealand secondary schools.” (“The Press,” August 22). However, his criticisms and comments show that he is unaware of what is being taught in secondary schools. He suggests that schools “might introduce topics such as economics, political science, sociology and urbanisation,” and “discuss alternative life styles.” All these topics are dealt with specifically in social studies, and aspects of them are also covered in English, geography and science. Advertising (an important part of the consumer society mentioned by Professor Nuthall) is studied in English periods, and questions on it are set in the School Certificate and University bursary examinations. Had Professor Nuthall directed his criticisms at other aspects of secondary school curricula on the same grounds of irrelevance, I might have agreed with him. However, his criticisms are valueless as his examples are singularly ill-chosen. — Yours, etc., D. C. CLOSE. August 27, 1974.