THE EDUCATION QUESTION.

Evening Post, Volume XXI, Issue 107, 9 May 1881, Page 2

THE EDUCATION QUESTION.

TO THB EDITOR OK TIM IVJNIKG POST. Sib— There ia no doubt spelling reform is greatly needed, but if spelling by sound were to be authorised in our public schools (as Dr. Newman would wish), then all of tho hosts of different kinds of school-books now in use would become utterly useless, as it would be impossible for children who had learnt to spell by sound only to read or learn from books in which the words were not spelt by sound. No one will differ from the doctor's second proposal. There is one thing I would like to draw attention to as regards the present system of holding inspections at regular perioda. I think that, a possible, theso inspections Bhonld be held at irregular periods. If this were done, the children could not be specially prepared at the inspection day draws near, as at present, and thus the teachers would find it to their interest to stick well to their doty always. In bis fourth proposition, Dr. Newman proposes to omit grammar altogether. If this were done, then English composition would also hive to be omitted. If there is any subject which should be omitted, it is science, or at any rate it should be restricted to the highest class in each school. What is the use expecting a child eight or nine yean

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old to understand science. One might as well teach a phonograph, whioh could repeat what was said into it, but would not know the meaning of what it said. It would be more to the point if shorthand were taught. Histories should be used as roadiog books, not as books of brain torture. I am, bo., School. Brd May, 1831.