MODERN EDUCATION.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1531, 29 August 1912, Page 5

MODERN EDUCATION.

-MAKING THINGS TOO EASY. There is an interesting interview in the "Sunday School Chronicle" with Dr. M'Glure. who has ■ just completed his twenty-first year as headmaster' of Mill Hill School. Dr. M'Glure does not believe in short cuts to krowle.lge, and he was most emphatic in his criticism of the tendency of modern education. "There is a desire to-day to make things too easy for the pupils," he said, "aiid this tendency will leave its mark upon the future. The acquisition and assimilation of knowledge always mean good solid work. Professor J. J. Thomson, speaking at Mill Hill two years ago, told us that the effect of this tendency to make tilings easy was being felt at tho universities. If it is not a paradox," added Dr. .M'Clnre, "I would say that the results would ha better if the teaching were not so good. It is the work of the pupils which matters far' more than that of the 'masters."

Dr. M'Clure went on to say that Mill Hill is one of the schools which take German seriously. "I am afraid that, taking the public schools generally, the teaching of German is lessening ytnr by year. It seems as if it were being squeezed out of the time-table altogether. Many schools majce it an alternative subject with Greek; but I have been struck also by the fact that many schools are centent with one. foreign language only, a.nd that is French." Dr. M'Clure added that the number of students taking Greek is increasing, which may, of course, bo accounted for by the fact tluit Greek is still a compulsory subject at Oxford and Cambridge. In reply to further questions, Dr. M'Clurc said he thought the examination system had been greatly abused: "I do;not think, however (he went on to observe), that this is any reason for easting tho whole of (he examination system upon the scrap-hoap. Ther-s is no doubt that we have overdone it. I think y.cu will find that a good many parents regard as indispensable tho possession by their sons of a certificate of some kind, as imlicatiiig success in the various branches of study, but there are very hazy ideas abroad' n< to 'relative value?.' One of the difjieiillips ire have tn coii!pik! with is that at the London University they will only examine n .Matriculation Candidate in five subjects, n'ul ho may choose them in about 12C0 different ways!" s Dr. M'Clure further expressed himself .1= most anxious that the teaeliin? juotVssion should l>:> put upon a firmer basis. "I would like." lie s.iid. "to ««• it made. I any rate in large mca.sure, a branch of the Civil Service."