JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 5, 30 September 1922, Page 9

JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS

A CHANGE THAT MUST COME

MINISTERIAL EXPLANATION WELCOMED

A further explanation of the proposal to establish junior, high schools was made by the Minister of Education yesterday, when he addressed the High School Boards’ Conference. Mr. Parr stated that the proposal was not to introduce a new system, but to so arrange the present system that it would deal with children of the age between 12 and 14 years.' The present deficiencies must be realised. Thirty per cent, of the children did not get through oVen the primary course. Some thought that they were dull or had been a failure, hut they were not. They were different to other children and required different treatament. In this country they were trving to put too’many children through a common mould, to the detriment of the children’s future. At least 30 per cent, of the boys passing through high schools were wasting their time. The schools were not suitable for the children. Schools should he made to fit entirely the bent, bias, and aptitude of the children. To-day the primary schools were a year behind; children were passing out of the sixth standard at 14 years instead of at 13 years. It was their du tv to try and wrestle with this defect. His idea was to evolve a more rational, scientific, system.. . The present system was physiologically and psychologically wrong. In continuing primary education, wer? proceeding on a principle against the opinions of the leading educationists in the world. A delegate: And of the secondary schools. “Has Cot to Come.” The Minister proceeded to quote the opinion of Mr. T. U. Wells, ®J.A. (Auckland). He said the judgment of Mr. Wells, a sound and level-headed judgment, hacked with logical reasons,, was in favour of the now system. Inis better allocation of the years of mstruction has to come about whatever vou say, gentlemen,” stated the Minister. “I would like to go round and thump a little sense into people myS °Mr. Durward (Palmerston) : And get some knocked into vou . The Minister: “Yes, we could liven each other up.” Ho contended that if the classes were commenced, they would not be confined to three centres, hut there would probably be one in a city, one in a town with a, population of'lo,ooo or 12.000. and a third in a country area where concentration of purrils would be easily nossible. The Ijeeislature had sooner or later to ynise the compulsory agff for completing education to 15 years. He had practically got Parliament’s authority to make the change now. His problem had been to deal with this extra year on to children’s education. It would be a short-sighted nolicv to add, a short extra course at the end of the present primary course. At the end nf the fifteen years they wanted the children to have a complete course of education as far as it went, as many of them would not go on to senior secondary schools. They must get rid of the idm. of vested, interests in education. The sole object must be te put forward tho best for the children. He hoped thev would consider it from that aspect solely, and heln forward this progressive movement instead of attempting to block it. That a fair trial should be given for three years in three schools was a fair proposition. All that was wanted was a New Zealand system, not one slavishly following "some other pountry. (I,oriel applause.) ’ 1 _ The Minister was heartily . thanked for bis summary of the position. Mr. Fraser (Wanganui) said that had the Minister been able, to give his views earlier, a lot of friction, would have bemi avoided on the subject. Later the matter came before the conference on the following remit from New Plymouth:—“That in .the event of junior high schools being estabb’shed In the smaller centres where there already exist both technical da.y schools and secondary schools, it is desirable that the junior school be attached to the existing secondary schools, and that the duplication that at present exists owing to the establishment of technical day schools should be abolishes.” A Change of Front? Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P. (New Plymouth), said the Minister’s statement indicated 'a complete change of front, and had it been made earlier all the criticism which had been levelled at it wouldi have been avoided?- He was against the idea of adopting wholesale a scheme from America, but the scheme as suggested was one which should have a trial. Mr. A. E. Lawrence (Waitaki) supported the principle of making the new ttebools in small towns an integral part of existing high schools. He did not think the junior high school would, get over the difficulty unless the school age was raised. Mr. W. A. Carruth (Whangarei) suggested that activities of tho present higli schools should he extended so that pupils would go there on attaining the fifth standard. . Mr. J. Caughley (Director of Education) said the Department was in accord with tho principles of the remit. The remit was adopted unanimously.-