W.E.A.

Evening Star, Issue 18503, 10 December 1923, Page 9

W.E.A.

TUTORIAL CLASSES REPORT. The annual report of the Tutorial Classes Committee of the Workers’ Educational Association (Otago branch) states; Upon his appointment to the chair of economics, Professor Woodthorpe assumed the position of director of the W.E.A., and in that capacity has attended all meetings of the committee. He paid a visit to Southland to confer with the Invercargill Centre, and while there visited some of the tutorial classes. The Invercargill officials have testified to the helpfulness of the director’s efforts. As part of his directorial duties, Professor Woodthorpe conducted a tutorial class in ‘‘ economics and finance.” While this year there was a decrease of two in the number of classes, there was an increase of thirty-six in the number of enrolments. Thus {here was promise of a record year, so far as attendance was concerned. Unfortunately, the weather and the influenza epidemic spoilt the prospect, and botli the effective and average attendance show a decline upon the figures of last year. There can be no doubt that the two adverse influences referred to were the cause of the decreased, attendance. Something in the nature of a slump took place in most of the classes when the epidemic was at its height. Another outstanding feature of the statistics is the growth in the number of women students, which is very marked. There is a preponderance of women in seven out of the sixteen classes, and in the two largest classes the women greatly outnumber the men.

This year eight tutors were engaged, as follows:—Professor Woodthorpe, 14 lectures; Rev. L. G. Whitehead, M.A., 12; Miss M. 11. M. King, M.A., 22; Dr J. R. Elder, 24; Mr John Johnson, M.A., 121; Mr F. Milner, M.A., 23; Mr A. C. Watson, 8.A., 10; Mr George M'Cracken, 73. The committee desires again to record the. fact that the director and Mr Milner officiated without emolument.

The following is the list of subjects dealt with during the 1923 session Economics, four classes, psychology, four; literature, two; history and literature, one; essay writing, one; sociology, three; history of ■ New Zealand, one. I The reports from Southland arc of a hopeful character. Upon the recommendation of the Invercargill Committee and of Professor Woodthorpe, Mr S. G. August was appointed lecturer to four classes. His subject was literature. Mr C. D. Francis took the class in economics. The tutors’ reports show good results. Suggestions towards overcoming the difficulties in regard to tutors for the southern district were made by Professor Woodthorpe after Ilia visit to Invercargill. It was resolved by the Tutorial Committee-—” That an effort should be made to obtain a per- i manent tutor for Southland, who should engage in W.E.A. duties and perhaps also ; work’ in connection with the Education | Board and Technical College.” i It would be interesting and useful to i know the extent to which the W.E.A. is j exercising an influence upon public opinion 1 It is, however, almost impossible to gauge the effects of the association’s efforts, and it has no examination results to tabulate. That there are certain very definite and permanent results cannot bo doubted. The j value of adult education has been recog- ! nised by the highest authorities in England and elsewhere; and the instilling into mature minds, by moans of _ consecutive series of lectures and discussions, of the | essential principles of economics, sociology, j and other cultural topics cannot but bo productive of lasting results. In regard to economics alone, it is certain that hundreds of persons, who a few years ago had no knowledge whatever of the subject, have to-dav an insight into its fundamental principles, and are able to discuss them in an intelligent way. Such education has great community value. The same claim may be made respecting sociology, history, literature, and psychology. And the fact cannot be over-emphasised that the asso- > ciation dispenses cultural and not tech- | ideal or vocational education. That is not to say that the W.E.A. depreciates or disparages education of the latter type, but that its own efforts are consciously directed towards the production of citizens and the cultivation of the civic spirit. Keeping this ideal steadily in view, i the association may claim a place among i the really purposeful and influential insti- j tutions of this dominion. *