RURAL COURSES

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 41, 17 August 1921, Page 6

RURAL COURSES

DISCONTINUANCE URGED IN

LEVIN, i

": Th Lsvin there is a strong desire for r 'the rural course at the local school to ibe discontinued and replaced by a 'matriculation, course. This information i was conveyed to the Wellington Education Board to-day by.Mr. "W. H. ,F,ield, 'who stated that numbers of children ,werenow leaving Levin and attending the Palmerston North and Wellington 'secondary schools. . Those going to Palmerston North were! seriously inconvenienced. "There was absolute unanimity against the continuance of Hhe rural course," he remarked.

Mr. Harkness also' spoke in ; support. "They want," he said, "the same opportunities as you have in the city to go for the goal, ,and a definite goal." The present rural course was a hindrance, and it was recognised by resi,dents that a matriculation course was essential. ' .

Mir. Bakewell, the senior ; inspector, poinited out that it wa« simply a matter of regulations,* . the intention of which was to ensure preliminary scienr tific'instruction in the staple industry of the Dominion. Whatever tue Chambers of Commerce might say the Agricultural and Pastoral Societies had. been insistent in their demands for this instruction. He did not see any chance of the board's getting behind the regulations. He protested against the suggestion that matriculation after two years' course in 4 secondary work -was desirable or conformed 1 to the true spirit of education. When the post-primary course was (irmly established the parents would have an opportunity of selecting the vocational course which they desire their children to follow. In the meantime he thought that no useful purpose would be served by tinkering with. the present system. In the opinion of the chairman (Mr. T. Forsyth) the whole thing rested with the people of Levin, if they could find 70 pupils and the teachers. It was agreed that Mr. , Bakewell should visit Levin to place the position before the residents. .