EDUCATIONAL NEEDS

Evening Star, Issue 20942, 5 November 1931, Page 11

EDUCATIONAL NEEDS

ADDRESSES BY SCHOOLMASTERS MEETING OF VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE COMMITTEE “Johnny does not go unwillingly to school nowadays; he goes most willingly. The work of the infant room is so changed that it is going along very pleasant lines for everybody,” said Mr W. Abel (head master of the Musselburgh School), in the, course of a short address to the members of the Vocational Guidance Committee in the Y.M.C.A. last night. . , There had been great changes in the upper standards, too, said Mr. Abel. More modern methods were being adopted, and almost every room had a well-stocked library. They had got away from the old stodgy reading book that used to be known so well in earlier years. Stuffing for examinations had to a large extent gone, but he could not say that it had altogether disappeared. Teachers recognised that their work was in the forming and strengthening of character. Speaking of Standard VI. pupils, Mr Abel said there was a certain number leaving school every year fit for post-primai-y . education. About 40 per cent, were fitted for training qf an academic nature. These were fitted for another language, more mathematics, science, etc. In the case of, sav, 30 per cent., it was very doubtful if the struggle to get a smattering of French or Latin was worth while. They would benefit greatly from more English, easy mathematics, history, and cultural subjects. It was often the case that ambitious parents set the road the children had to follow. _Of the other 30 per cent., in his opinion, it was a waste of time and money to expect them to follow the courses set for their brighter fellows. What they should get was plenty of English, easy practical arithmetic, and vocation work on domestic and manual lines. Such varied courses were, of course, the reason for the existence of the wrongly named junior high schools. Mr Abel doubted very much the wisdom of, refusing post-primary education to the last class of pupils. They needed it most, but it must be specially suited to them. The _ agitation against_ postprimary education for every pupil was due largely to the belief that there was waste in our post-primary schools. The arguments against such education would not be so cogent if pupils were taking courses best adapted to their needs. Mr Abel said a big struggle had been made in Otago to have the principle of accrediting approved, and it looked now as if an attempt were being made to let _ accrediting go. This attempt was being resented here because of the big fight to get accrediting and because the proposal had been sprung on them so ' suddenly.

After a • long experience he could say that excellent work was being done in. the primary schools. The teachers were particularly faithful, and recognised that character training was'the great aim of their work. The greatest need in the schools was that there should be differentiated courses provided much earlier than they were now. WORK OF TECHNICAL COLLEGE.Mr W. G. Aldridge, the principal of the King Edward Technical College, addressed the meeting on the work of the college, and outlined the various courses provided for the pupils. He said that, while au attempt was made to differentiate courses from the outset, the amount of differentiation they could make was never enough. There was a staff of thirty-two at the day school. Ton members of the staff taught ordinary subjects, _ and two taught science. The remaining twenty wore all specialists’. Speaking of the standard of work, Mr Aldridge said they endeavoured to find during tho first year who should go faster and who should go slower during tho second year. So far they had failed to solve the problem of those who failed to make good in tho second year. <!n the motion of tho chairman (Mr J. L. Salmond) both speakers were accorded a hearty vote of thanks. REPORT OF VOCATIONAL OFFICER. Sir T. Conly, the vocational guidance officer, reported on the work during the month. Ho said ho had interviewed head masters and employers, particularly those who might be called large-scale employers. There had been a noticeable attendance i" parents at his office, mostly mothers, who were concerned about the future of their girls or boys. Some interc-t had been shown by employers who required juniors with peculiar or special abili- ■ ties. This meant that he would require to get more detailed information concerning boys and girls than he had at first anticipated. He had been able tq place a number of boys and girls. The work of the committee was becoming more widely known. Tho Chairman said tho members of tho committee would probably agree that Mr Conly was using his time m a very good way. Once ho obtained the confidence of employers—as the speaker was isuro he would—more valuable work would be doile. The Chairman welcomed to the meeting Mr A. Hanna, who attended as the representative of the Head Masters’ Association.