APATHY IN EDUCATION

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 271, 21 August 1925, Page 15

APATHY IN EDUCATION

NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION HAS IT FAILED TO FUNCTION? The annual meeting of the Educational Association of New Zealand was held last evening. The president (Mr.”T, R. Cresswell) occupied the chair, and there wore also present: Miss Batham (Wellington), Miss M. C. Edmed (Pahiatua), Messrs. F. Milner (Oiunaru), AV. A. Arnold, and M. H. Dixon (Napier), N. 11. S. Law (Auckland), J. H. Howell and G. R. Kidson (Wellington), F. L. Combs, and H. A. Parkinson (secretary). Report of Standing Committee. "During the period that has elapsed since the last meeting, it has been difficult to secure united action on the part of the association on the matters that have come up for discussion,” stated the report of the Standing Committee. "The only event of moment affecting educational matters was the passing of the Education Amendment Bill, and this was mainly a reactionary measure. The unfortunate occurrence of the epidemic of infantile paralysis put a stop to all activities during the early part of the year, with the result that the annual May meetings had to be foregone. Subsequently, action was suspended fora further period in anticipation of a favourable decision of the University Teachers’ Association on the question of joining this body. It is greatly to be regretted that the decision arrived at is contrary to our hopes and wishes, and that the association will not ga.'n the added strength and prestige that were desired. A commendable degree of activity has been shown by the Hawke s Bay branch of the association, in the efforts it has made .by circularising various bodies in support of the movement for extending university lectures to parts of the Dominion outside the four univers’ty towns. The council will be given an opportunity of expressing its wishes in regard to this subject." The president, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, said the result of the year's operations had been a great disappointment to him. He felt that the association was not going to function without the support of the university professors, and it did not appear that they had much hope of them coming in. It seemed to him that every way in which they turned they were up against a brick wall. Mr. Law (Auckland) said that there was also a lack of interest in the affairs of the association in his district. He seconded the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. Mr. J. H. Howell did not share the piesident’s pessimistic outlook. It was a matter for disappointment that they were not to have the co-operation of the university professors. Still, there was a great deal of educational work to be done, and if would be a pitv if they were to discontinue the association, which was a means of cementing up tile various affiliated bodies. Mr. F. L. Combs said it would be better to hold on than to disband, and have to re-form later on, as he was sure they would have to do. They were faced with two kinds of apathy—the apathy of tlie public and the apathy of their own associations in relation to the association. He asked if it would not be possible while all the educational conferences were in session to hold some kind of a joint conference in order to bring the full weight of educational bodies to bear upon the more important subjects they wished to bring before the public? The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Election of Officers. The election of officers resulted as follows:—President, Mr. N. S. H. Law (Auckland); vice-presidents, Messrs. T. R. Cresswell (Wellington), and G. J. Park (Auckland); secretary, Mr. H. A. Parkinson (re-elected). It was decided to make arrangements for an educational demonstration in May next,, when the delegates of affiliated associations would be meeting in conference. A discussion took place upon the working of junior high schools, during which Mr. Law explained how the experiment was working in the northern capital. He promised to obtain reports from the principals of the junior high schools in Auckland in time for the May meeting of the association.