The Daily Telegraph. MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1889.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 5661, 21 October 1889, Page 2

The Daily Telegraph. MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1889.

Mn. Jajiks C. Wilson has addressed a. letter to tho various Education Boards of the colony on the subject of au alteration of the syllabus. Last session, it appears, the Premier gave a promise to issuo a circular to the several Boards to invite suggestions in respect of the syllabus, and Mr. Wilson thinks the present a good opportunity for the purpose of keeping the subject before the public. Mr. Wilson, iii his letter, " ventureswithsomediffidence," topointout what in his opinion aro a few of the glaring mistakes in tho syllabus. (1.) In addition to reading, writing, and arithmetic, the importance of which all are agreed ou, I should add drawing as one of the premier subjeots. It does not iveeive anything like the proportionate amount of time, which from its importance to the future welfare of the pupil, it ought to receive. It is th« basis of ail technical education. No matter what the pupil is destined for, drawing taught in the proper way is of the utmost importance. It is of great service as a mental training ;it forms an agreeable interlude to the other lessons, and can bo taught by any of the present schoolmasters, if they have an opportunity (as they ought to have) of being teughtiaaproperschool.(2 ) Singing , upon the tonic sol-fa system should also have some prominence. It should be as easy for ft child to read music as to raad its lesson books. The teaching of music is a matter of more difficulty. Although those whohavefullkriowledgeofthe tmbjeotsay no child cannot bo taught to ring, still some of the sohoolmafitere are too old to learn. Many fortunately alrendy know the system, and in some schools the children sing admirably. (3.) Scipuco in the higher classes should havo relation to the pursuits likely to be followed by the majority of the pupils, such as iniuendogy for the mining districts, agriculture and dairying for the i farming districts. I may say with regard to this that the Government have promised me that manuals on these two important subjects shall be prepared for the use of schools. (4.) The subjects of geography, grammar, history, «.Vc, receive far too much time at present relative to their importance. Tho public mind is strong in this direction. (5 1 ) Drill should form a part of every day's work. The discipline iv schools iv a country where discipline is lax, is beneficial. Girls should all be taught the use of clubs, if there aro no other gymnastic exercises possible. Every encouragement should bo given by all connected with education to the good old English out-doer games, which our public school boys seem sadly deficient iv. (6.) The syllabus should allow of much more discretionary power being given to the Inspectors. Often it is in the interests of education that some alteration should be made, in small country schools for instance with one teacher. The Inspector has no power but to enforce the syllabus in its entirety.