PRACTICAL INSTRUCTION IN THE PUBLIC SCEOOLS.

Evening Post, Volume LIII, Issue 100, 29 April 1897, Page 5

PRACTICAL INSTRUCTION IN THE PUBLIC SCEOOLS.

At yesterday's meeting of the Education Board the following report was submitted to the Inspector on the complaints from the Thorndon and Mitchelltown School Committees, the former as to the substitution of cooking for physiology :—: — , "In reply to the general question of school class books raised by the Thorndon and Mitchelltown School Committees, I have the honour to report that the books to be used in all our schools are from time to time prescribed by order of the Education Board. I act merely as the adviser of the Board in this and other matters touching the curriculum of work defined by the Education Act. As to the remarks of Mr. Koch (Chairman of the Thorndon School Committee) on the increase of subjects taught, and as to their general importance, I have only to say that all the subjects taught are so enjoined by the Legislature. In Mr. Mowbray's requests for assistance from his School Committee, before the actual issue of the new science programme, there was a little pardonable ' precipitancy; but Mr. Mowbray has done i much to advance scientific instruction in this district, and he was naturally anxious ■ to be to the front in introducing any > cliauges approved of by the Board. In i asking his committee for their co-operation,-i I deeply regret the reception his proposals • met with, and he was actuated by the very > best interests of the children of Thorndon ; ; and I feel sure the cause of education in i that district suffers, aud has suffered for , some time, from the want of sympathetic- , co-operation and the refusal of helpful i monetary aid, which the able staff of the , school would reasonably hope to receive from the School Committee.— l have the honour, &c, Robert Lee, Inspector." In the course of the discussion which ' arose on the report, the Chairman expressed the opinion that the Thorndon Committee

had taken upon itself to judge of the Board's action. Mr. Robertson referred to the necessity for increasing the number of subjects to keep pace with the demands of the growing complexity of modern life. Mr. llosrg considered it much to be regretted that any committee should raise objections to the teaching of domestic economy. As to the question of school books, it was pointed out that it was five 3 - ears since the Board had made any alteration in those in use.' j The report was adopted, and it was decided to sefid copies to the committees interested.