BRIDGING THE GAP

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 50, 27 August 1925, Page 11

BRIDGING THE GAP

IN POST-PRIMARY EDUCATION

SIR JAMES PARR'S FORECAST.

New developments in the national system of eduration were foreshadowed by Sir James Parr. Minister of Education, in his address at the foundation ceremony of the Hutt High School. The Dominion, lie said, was on the eve of further educational developments of an exceedingly important character. In the past there had been strong criticism of the undue dominance given to matriculation examinations in the teaching in the High Schools. This was soon to disappear. (Applause.) Far too much importance was given these examinations by teacher and pupil alike. In the future, instead of having in view nothing but matriculation there would be given a broadbased education suitable to the practical needs of the scholars, rather than an academic education. It would be the duty of the Minister of Education very shortly to cure all this mischief. There would be no trouble. An agreement would be arrived at between the Department, the University Senate, and the secondary schools without dissenion that would not diminish the university's 'authority in secondary education. If that could be brought about it waa going to immeasurably improve the efficiency of secondary schools. A second problem the Department was going to face was the a:ge at which secondary education would start. At present the high school course commenced at 14. . This was too late and was not the practice elsewhere. It was now proposed that the junction between the primary and secondary education should be commenced at the age of 12. The junior high school course should extend from 12 to 15, and at that age the child would leave unless it was desired to go further, in which case education could be continued from 15 to 18 at the secondary school. Attempts should be made to send those who were going to the high school at the age of 11 or 12. In the past we bad been going on wrong lines, and would now endeavour to get' on the right track, and it was hoped next year that the boy or girl who was going to put in six years at the high school would go ■ there at the age of 11 or 12. (Applause.)