TEACHERS' TRAINING

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 4, 5 January 1921, Page 2

TEACHERS' TRAINING

SUGGESTED METHODS

RECOMMENDATIONS TO N.Z.E.I.

Discussing further the question of teachers' certificates yesterday afternoon the annual meeting of the New Zealand Educational Institute dealt with a recommendation of the committee that there should be only three certificates, "A," "B," and "C." An amendment that a "D" certificate should be' included -was lost, but an amendment, "That all certificated teachers at present in the service, who are of proved ability and, of years of. experience, be granted a 'C certificate on .the recommendation of an inspector of schools," was adopted and the motion so amended was passed.

The proposed schedule of studies for the "IS" certificate was held over for further consideration, and a similar course was pursued with regard to the prescription .for p the highest certificate, "A." The conference adopted the following further recommendations : — "That all certificates be granted bj examination." "That the id-eal to be aim-ed at is thaiall examinations for teachers' certificates should bo 'conducted under the aegis ot tha university, as is done in other pro fessions." "That it be a recommendation that candidates for higher certificates than 'C be required to show correspondingly increased efficiency in teaching." A hearty vote of thanks was carried. to Mr. L. F. de Berry' (Wanganui), convener, and the committee which drew up the report. MOULDING A CAREER. , A number of recommendations in a I report of a cohimittee on the training of teachers were then discussed. The con-' ference adopted the recommendation thai entrants to the teaching profession should be required to pass the' matriculation examination. They should thon be required to take a two years' course at a training college and should, on completion of such a course, be appointed as probationary teachers. At the Training College abundant opportunity must be provided for practice p.nd observation, work at the Normal Schools attached to the Training College, and in the Practice and Observation Schools that should be associated with the Training College. The curricnlam shouUi include pot only the ordinary literary and scientific subjects, but especially . studies in psychology, methods of teaching, and the history of education. It should he possible to arrange a great part of thLs work to be done at the vaiious University Colleges. The teacher-student should finish his Training College course, say, at the age ,of 19 or 20 years, and, 'after passing the necessary examination, be given a proyisional certificate of Class-C.

AFTER COLLEGE.

The student would then leave the Training College and take a position as supernumerary assistant in an approved, school for a period of two years, at tho end of which time'the full teacher's certificate would be- issued, provided the practical work in teaching and management of classes satisfies the inspector This period should give the probationerteacher opportunities for practice- in the teaching and management of large classes under the direct ■ supervision of experienced head teachers, who should report half-yearly on probationer-teacher in their i-chools A teacher-student, showing marked ability in his professiori'afand other atwlies. should, on the recommendation of the' Principal of the Training College, be allowed to substituto for the first year of probaUonershipa free year at the University,' unhampered by pmfessional studies.

Students intending to beoonin secondary or technical school teachers, and approved as- such by the Principal of; the. Training College, should be allowed to spend part of their time as probationary teachers in secondary or, technical schools.. Before receiving a teacher's certificate, graduates shall receive- two years' professional training, one of which thall be spent at a Training College and the other as a- supernumerary teacher. A s'.ifhcient mimbei of rura.l schools should be set apart for the purpose of giving probationer-teachers a training in iiiral school work. Each Training College should be closely connected with-a Or.ivSrsity .College.

It was decided that euch college should be- a residential one

The report was adopted.