METHODS COMPARED.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIII, Issue 32, 7 February 1907, Page 5

METHODS COMPARED.

TEACHING THE YOUNG IDEA* WHAT IS DONE IN NEW SOUTH WALES. This morning the conference of inspectors and training college principals listened to an address by Mr. D. J. Cooper, 'M.A., Senior Inspector of New South Wales. In the first place he said he desired to tender bis thanks for the invitation extended to him to attend the conference, and went on to say that if he was to speak on tho point nearest nis heart it would be of the kindness estanded to him since the first day of his arrival in New Zealand. His immediate duties had beon connected with the Exhibition, but he had found timo to study at first hand the position of education in the colony. He knew a good deal of New Zealand's system, but I he was not prepared for the advanced state of things he found. New South Wales had dono a good deal for national, education, but they were still tar | from perfection. They had just passed ! through a period of very 6evcre criticism, and that criticism had done good. To effect improvement had been their chief endeavour. In Christchurch he had the good fortune to attend a meet.- . ing of teachers, and he had been very much struck by certain points which were very prominent. He was quite convinced from what he heard that the educational interests entrusted to these people were in -very safe hands To promote the moral and spiritual welfare of the yonlh of the colony was the goal which all appeared to aspire to Tho general syllauus in New South Wales and New Zealand was much the same. The teacher was the most important question to be dealt with — as the teacher was so the school would be. In New South Wales the pupil teacher question had been a burning one lor yeargi, and they had now decided that the ;pupil teacher was no longer to be recognised. (Hear, hear). tSpeaking of the summer scnook in New South Wa{es, he fiaid th-3y were convinced that the teachers most deservJng of help were the country school ,t<3acheis. By far the large proportion of New South Wal2s schools were situated in tho country, and presided over by ose ,teacher. Accordingly it had been arranged thpt school camps for teachers should be held at 'convenient centres,, «;here they would be addressed b> the inspector on various subject*. This has been productive of great ( good Summer' schools had also been held in Sydney. By far the greatest effort had been made however, with their agricultural college, of which they were very proud. .Large numbers of teachers were sent there at periods for Lnstructioa>, and this also had beeu productive of great good. In order to acquaint city boys with country life they had school camps established in the Hunter River country It I was generally arranged thai, thej should camp on a model farm, the idea being to induce tile boys to go out and settle in tne country. (Applause.) The conference expressed to Mr. Cooper its cordia-J thanks for his address.