EDUCATION AFTER THE WAR.

Evening Star, Issue 16547, 5 October 1917, Page 8

EDUCATION AFTER THE WAR.

. TO THE EDITOR. . Sir,—Your leading article of last evening, ‘ Education During War Time,’ affords evidence of tho new spirit inspiring educationists to-day. - The quotation from the speech of the Homo Minister of Education is pastricularly interesting as indicating the trend of thought. The date of that' deliverance is given as August 10. ..Three months ■ prior, to that, date, (on May 3) the Workers’ Eiducational Association : convened what proved to be the largest and most representative conference ever held to discuss purely educational questions. There were present 719 delegates (exclusive of those who attended as members of tho Central Council of the W.E.A.), of whom 423 represented 256 Labor bodies, including trade unions, trade councils, and L.R.C.s, co-operative societies, W-E.A. branches and tutorial classes, and miscellaneous Labor and reform organisations; and .296 represented 147 teachers’ associations, nniversities, university colleges, university joint committees for tutorial classes, extension delegacies, and, local education authorities, and other educational bodies. This conference won ‘ for the educational policy of the Labor -Movement the support of a . large number of local education authorities, universities, colleges, and teachers’ associations, and undoubtedly brought within the range of immediate practical politics a really effective scheme of educational reconstruction. May not one go further, and affirm that the resolutions of tliis conference (appended hereto) exercised a good deal of influence upon the mind of the Minister of Education when he compiled the reforms foreshadowed by him?—l am, etc., W.E.A. ’ October 2.

RESOLUTIONS OF CONFERENCE ON EDUCATIONAL RECONSTRUCTION. —Resolution I. That- this conference demand: . The provision of nursery schools for all children between the ages of two and six whose parents may wish them to attend, the heads of such schools to have special qualifications for the training of young children. The abolition of all forms of exemption under the age of 14; the raising of the leaving age to 15 (without exemption) within a period of five years, and 1 to 16 within a further period of three years; the-provision of maintenance allowances to children over the age of 14; and the abolition of child labor for profit or wages during the period of compulsory full-time attendance at school. The immediate reduction of the size of all classes to 40 as a maximum, with a view to further reduction to 30 as a maximum. The establishment of a school medical and dental service to secure adequate inspection and treatment of all scholars ; -such extension and improvement of the system of school meals as will overcome . under-feeding and malnutrition; greater facilities for organisation of games, bathing, swimming, and open-air teaching. The provision by education authorities of conveyances to and from school in outlying districts where children have more than one mile to walk. —Resolution 2. — That this conference affirm that the obict of educational reform is not attained mtil a broad highway is established from ihe elementary school to the university, And declare that, in order to bring such a highway into existence, the following changes are necessary in the national system of education That compulsory part-time education of not less than 20 hours per week (including time spent in organised games and school meals) be provided free for all such young persons as are not receiving full-time education, such education to be given in the daytime. That the hours of labor for all young persons under the age of 18 be limited to a maximum of 25 per week. That the distribution of hours throughout the year upon the above basis should be arranged, where necessary, to meet the needs of seasonal industries and other circumstances. That the education in such schools should he directed solely towards the full development of the bodies, minds, and characters of the pupils; that it should therefore be intimately related to the environment and interests of the pupils, and should contain ample provision for physical well-being, including organised games and school meals. That no drills of a military character should he permitted. That the teachers in such schools should enjoy status and emoluments similar to those of teachers in other secondary schools. The provision of free full-time secondary schools for all children who are eligible and are desirous of entering, with facilities for transference from parttime to full-time’ secondary education. That pupils, desirous of entering a secondary school shall be allowed the choice of any of the secondary schools under ihe jurisdiction of the education authority, any extra cost incurred to be borne-by the education authority. The provision of an adequate number of scholarships of sufficient value to enable_ all students with, the necessary ability, who may so desire, to enter a university, —Resolution 3. That, since an adequate supply of good ieachers is necessary for the improvement Of our educational system, the salaries and pensions provided should be such as will induce the best men and women available to enter and remain in the profession, with equal pay for equal service, and that the training facilities should be such as will enable intending teachers to pass through a period of study at a university. —Resolution 4 That each local education authority bo required to submit to the Board of Education a complete scheme of education for its area, together with estimates of the cost. That 75 per cent, of the total cost of all education approved by the Board of Education be met by the National Exchequer, and that the Board be empowered to reduce the grant wherethe teaching staff is insufficient in quality or numbers, or the salaries paid are inadequate; or the number of scholars in any class exceeds 40 ;• or the number and variety of educational institutions are not adequate; or the medical inspection and treatment,'.and supply of school meak are not adequate; or the local education authority fails to administer its by-laws; or where any other part of the scheme is not carried out to the satisfaction of the Board of Education- and-

That the Board of Education bo required give a special grant to meet the needs of areas where the school population is high, and the rateable value is low as compared with the cost of education.