HANDWRITING IN SCHOOLS

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 169, 5 April 1923, Page 4

HANDWRITING IN SCHOOLS

PRINT OR SCRIPT?

VIEWS OF HEADMASTERS

The controversy that has arisen upon the substitution of printing for writing in the schools shows that the matter is one o£ more than passing interest to many, parents, states the “Now Zealand Herald.’’ In an effort to ascertain exactly how the system came to be adopted, several well-known headmasters were interviewed. Not one of them expressed himself in favour of the printing method, , however, tho principal objections being that printing offered no note of individuality dr character, and that it was not favoured in business circles. “It is quite true that a good dea) of the present-day writing is not so good as it might be,” remarked eno headmaster, “but the proportion of bad writers is small compared with the good writers, and I do not think it would be at all a good thing for all to adopt tho one monotonous style of printing. So far as I have been able to learn, banks and. leading commercial houses aro not at all in favour of tho printing, and it would certainly never do for names to be printed instead of written. I know chat supporters of the system claim that the signature is alwhys written, but if pupils are taught to print, bow can they, possibly manage to acquire a characteristic signature?” In reply to a query whether tny special advantage, apart from legibility, was claimed for the method, tho headmaster said there was supposed to bo some idea that the printing would not lead to writer's cramp. “It certainly would not.” ho observed, “for there is no possibility whatever of going at too great a speed. Personally, I' think it a tiring and-laborious process, as the pencil must bo lifted after every letter, and I cannot see whv a series of pecks should be ’any easier than the swift, flowing motion of ordinary handwriting. I was speaking to a university student who is very keen on pnntii\g, and He had to admit that not being able to write quickly was a decided handicap in taking notes at lectures?.” . Another headmaster stated that although the primer classes were, taught to print, ho would not sanction, a continuance of printing ’ n b° “ ie standards, to the exclusion cf handwriting. A certain .amount of prmtin<r was done in connection with mapwork, etc., but the exorcises were always done in writing. “I am really at a'loss to know just exactly how the printing has come to be- adopted in Auckland,” bo said. “I believe the idea started in England, and i>robably some theorist advanced it bore, and found certain teachers ready to take it up. Tho Department and inspectors aro neutral upon ( the matter, and, so. far as I know, have neither advocated nor discouraged it. Personally. I hope tho system will not spread, and so far as my own school is concerned pupils will continue to ho taught to write in the ordinary way.