LONGER SCHOOL DAYS

Evening Star, Issue 16086, 11 April 1916, Page 6

LONGER SCHOOL DAYS

FOR CONTINUATION CLASSES. What should h e done for education in New Zealand after the war was referred to in an address by Mr G. Hovhen before the Educational Institute at Wellington on Fiiday evening (says the 'Post'). Ho deplored the conservation of the secondary schools in adhering to the traditional courses of culture, and l their slowness in adopting courses of vocational trainin<r. The University had shown a liko failure. Although New Zealand was an agricultural country, the University had" proonly two graduates in" agriculture. The University sought tq produce simply a_ general culture, which was the shadow of achievement of the older universities of England. It was true that the New Zealand University had many able and distinguished graduates, but it was at least possible that these students would have been able and distinguished if there had been no New Zealaiy* University. We should keep in mind the objects of education, which were to develop the best •that was born in a man, and to train him in a way which would contribute most to his efficiency as a craftsman. Above all things, we should not confuse tho merits of education with mere showy proiiciency in the elements of education—" the three R.s," for example. If tho Now Zealand system had defects —and he believed that it was defective—those defects were not in tho primary school system. All children wero com'pelled to attend school until they readied the age of 14 years. But educational experts agreed that this was not long enough for children to attend school. He suggested That they should bo required to go to continuation schools until 17 or 18 years of age. The question at once arose as to who should apply the. compulsion—tho central authority or the local authority. Under the present law the local authority had the right to apply for power to exercise compulsion in regard to attendance at special continuation classes, but they did not apply for the power. If, however, the system of continuation classes were organised on such a basis that part of the cost should be borne by the local body, the local body would probably insist upon compulsory attendance, if only in order to secure tho maximum capitation which would bo their due. Ho did not think that it would be practicable to enforco compulsory attendance at continuation classes which were held at night. The only solution of this difficulty would be for employers to allow the employees time olf for attendanco at continuation classes. Whatever the cost of any scheme of this sort, it ought to be met after the war. and perhaps a beginning ought to bo made before the war endod. The reduction of expenditure on education ought to be strongly opposed. He emphasised ths value of these continuation classes, and especially those for instructing our countiy population in agriculture.