DECLINE IN EDUCATION.

Evening Star, Issue 25593, 20 September 1945, Page 6

DECLINE IN EDUCATION.

TO THE EDITOE.

Sir, —I read with interest the column under the above heading in Monday's ' Star.' Mr Sinclair's remarks are very much to the point, and many parents will be pleased to see such a, commonsense exposition of the faults of pre-sent-day primary education. I know from experience that " the academic progress of many children has been hindered," and I wonder if it is the set policy or the education boards that mediocrity be the standard. I recalj the words of the head master of a district high school and an inspector of schools last year. The head master was talking to a group of parents; the inspector was addressing a public meeting. Both stressed the point that their aim was an even standard of ability. They " did not want a few clever pupils at the top 1 of the class and the rest tailing along behind," as, the inspector said. " used to be the case in the bad old days." A uniform standard isperhaps desirable, but surely only if it he the highest and not a standard suitable to the poorer- intelligences in a class as both those gentlemen seemed to be advocating. . The inspector actually said: " To-day we are not concerned with the bright scholars." Judging by results, I am quite sure he spoke the truth. Neither he nor the head master expressed any desire to give the most intelligent children the education suitable, to their ability. It seemed all a matter of keeping the standard down to the capacity of the less intelligent pupils. " The extraordinary variations in marks given on report cards " certainly require some explanation. It might be helpful all round"if parents were asked to fill in report cards on the ability, etc., of those who teach their children. Of the last five teachers of one class —four teachers in six months—only one set a high standard for the children to work to. Unfortunately for the class, they only had that teacher for two months. But in that short time carelessness in spelling was considerably checked. That is one case I know where the whole class improved when a high standard was set and demanded from them. Unfortunately, this good work was wasted by the following teachers, who took the easier way of allowing carelessness in the children's work, and did not insist on the best possible work being done. Many parents would like to " address themselves to solving this problem," in the interests of the children, but do not know how to go about it.—l am, etc., Parent. September 19. ,