HIGHER EDUCATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, 1 August 1912, Page 7

HIGHER EDUCATION.

LECTURE BY MISS A. L. REES

Lecturing in Holy Trinity Splioolroom last evening, Miss A. L.'Reps, M.A., LL.B., dealt interestingly with the subject of “The Higher Education for Giris.” Rev. F. W. Chatterton was in the chair, and suitably introduced the lectnress. Miss Rees commenced by dealing with the meaning attached to the phrase “higher education.” She contended that High School education was a standard rather than an ideal of development of character. The present system really amounted to giving a girl a boy’s education, which should be a preparation for life, and which should therefore differ for the sexes. She next dealt with the necessity for the community to be interested in matters educational, and proceeded to criticise the trend of modern education. Education, she said, must of necessity aim at what the community desired. “If the community lias no definite aims or ideals in education,” she continued, “the education will either be aimless and useless, or else, being left- entirely to teachers, will become crystallized and cease to be useful. We want more discussion, more theories, more, study of past experience, and more criticism of "nvesc-nt experiments.” Dealing with Dr. King and his theories, Miss Rees said that -his practice was better than his precept. The lecturess’s opinions were that more melancholia resulted from indolence than from over-activity of brain, and hard work and discipline were healthy. Health, like happiness, was gained indirectly. Concerning examinations, Miss Rees said that her exception to examinations was when they were regarded as an end in themselves. Miss Rees went on to deal with the aims and objects of higher education for women.

On the motion of Mr Stock, seconded by Miss Anderson, the lecturess was accorded a hearty vote of thanks.