EDUCATION IN THE HOME

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 135, 3 March 1922, Page 6

EDUCATION IN THE HOME

THE CORRESPONDENCE SYSTEM.

The Education Department having established a system of teaching children in the remote parts of the country by correspondence, Miss J. C. Mackenzie is communicating with parents so that the method should receive a trial. In Australia a somewhat similar system is in vogue, but some doubt has been expressed as to whether parents will be able to carry out the duties expected of them. Miss Mackenzie is endeavouring to find out from parents how far their children have progressed in then studies. She will then set the work that is to be done periodically, and will issue explanations of any difficulties the pupils may meet with. In arithmetic the parents will require answer books so that they may mark the work, and Miss Mackenzie will issue a list of books and material the pupils are to have, and also specify the amount of work to be done in the various subjects. AU pupils (states a circular to parents) will be expected to work regularly every day, and, if possible, at the same time daily. The more difficult work, such as arithmetic and English, should be done in the morninc “When a boy is supposed to be working,” writes Miss Mackenzie, he must work. Explain nothing to him that he can find out for himself. In the lower standards, no lesson should be longer than twenty minutes, but in the higher standards lessons may be an hour long. If there is you wish ‘explained, write to the teacher of the correspondence classes, who will always be willing to help. Carefully keep all circulars. A circular on methods to teach be winners is also issued to parents. Ims includes the telling of at least one tale a week, the story, when r epeaixxl, to be given in the same words. Ihe task of mastering the instructions generMly looks rather a formidable one 29 rules being included for the parents to fol--10 There is a regulation that postage has'to be paid on every communication to the Department. It is. also stated that the School Journal will be supplied, and that all circulars should be kept.