PHYSICAL TRAINING

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 194, 18 May 1928, Page 11

PHYSICAL TRAINING

WHAT IS THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT DOING?

“A MOST POTENT AID” Dominion Special Service. Dunedin, May 17. “Teachers are not only concerned with the intellectual progress and the formation of the character of children under their charge,” said Mr. F. E. L. Forrester, in his presidential address at the annual meeting of the Otago branch, of the New Zealand'.Educational Institute “They arc also immediately . concerned with the development of their bodies. The three phases of education are certainly closely connected with each other.■ and I would like to speak on the last, of these three—physical training. If we neglect physical training in any system of education, then we fail to make use of the most potent aid to the intellectual and moral-training, and to the formation of character. The physical health and bodily condition Of the child must serve as the foundation of mental training. We ourselves know from experience how adversely even a slight, falling-oft in our bodily health affects not only our capacity tor mental work, but also tile efficiency of that work. How . .muchgreater then must the growing child be affected. It is while the child is growing that .provision must be made for systematic physical training. Hence it must find and has found a place in the currfcblum of bur schools.” Physically '.unfit children, ,he continued, were generally speaking below the average mental ability. Therefore it. was necessary to improve then - intellectual progress bv first improving their bodily health. The. most advantageous way of doing this was by scientific physical training. The purpose of this training should therefore be not only the improvement of the physical condition of the child and of its health and strength, but also au aid iu the development of its. mental powers and in the formation of character. “What is the Education Department of New Zealand doing to assist in this laudable work?” asked Mr. Forrester. “With the exception of assisting in the purchase of basketballs the Department does nothing. Would it be too much to expect the authorities to place at the disposal of each of_ the education boards a sum of money witli winch to subsidise schools requiring assistance in the purchase, of . sports material? I think not. Tam quite sure that an equitable scheme of distribution could be devised, and the Schools Sports Association of New Zealand would assist will-, ingly if requested to do so.”