EDUCATION REFORM

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 7, 8 July 1922, Page 7

EDUCATION REFORM

JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS,

On the ground that there was soma uneasiness in existing institutions, M?. : T. K. Sidey (Dunedin South), yesteday, in the House of Representatives, asked the Minister of Education to state what were his intentions regarding the estab-: lishment of junior high schools.

The Hon. C. J. Parr stated that all that had been decided was to make a trial of the junior high schools for pupils between 12 and 15 years of age in one centre, or possibly two. In other countries these schools had long passed the experimental stage, and educationists in New Zealand agreed that at least a trial should be given to the system. There would be very little additional expense involved, as existing buildings would be used, and the teachers would be drawn from those now employed in the primary and secondary schools. All over the world progressive educationists now held that the primary school course „. should last, not for eighty'but for sis years. Afterwards the child would enter a junior high school, where differentiation could be made in the courses, instead of turning all the children out of the same mould. He anticipated that the junior high schools would be especially beneficial to the rural districts. In America! a great deal had been achieved by the establishment of consolidated schools, to which the pupils from a large rural district were conveyed by motor, and in which .they received the best education from highly qualified teachers.

IThe cable news iv this, issue accredited to The Times" has appeared in that journal, hut1 only wh..re expressly stated is such news the. j editorial opinion ol "The Time-,'.'! • .••-_