TEACHERS’ INSTITUTE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 28 July 1924, Page 5

TEACHERS’ INSTITUTE.

, —• TARANAKI BRANCH. MEETING AT HAWERA. A meeting of the Taranaki branch of the New Zealand Education Institute was held in the Hawera School on Saturday. The executive met in the morning to deal with correspondence and business of a. private nature. Arising out of a resolution passed by the Council of Education, upon which the branches were asked to give their opinions, the following was agreed to: —“That this executive agrees;with the resolution of the Council of Education regarding ' the appointment of women to head-teaclierships up to schools of 3A and 38.” (38. average attendance ranges from 81 to 120). In connection with a recent report made by, the Taranaki -Education Board’s architect, it was resolved: “That the architect’s report as published in the Taranaki papers was unjust to many teachers occupying residences, and that in future such general statements should not be published.” In the afternoon Mr. D. P. Evans (president') presided over an attendance of about 40 teachers. The resignation of Miss C. M. McCarthy was received. "Mrs. I. B. Jones was accepted for membership On the motion of Mr Curteis, seconded by Mr. Bary, it was decided - to donate £5 to the Murray purse fund. In accordance with notice of motion, Mr Wagstaff moved: “That this branch of the N.Z.E.I. divides-into at least two branches, as the. present- single district of Taranaki is too cumbersome for efficient working.” The mover, pointed out that the proposal, if carried, would enable’ many more meetings to be held,. and would' thus’ result in a big increase in efficiency and interest. At present .meetings 'were-'held at New Plymouth, Stratford and Hawera alters nately, and very few teachers travelled away from their centres to attend these meetings. Miss Slattery seconded the motion. ‘ ' . The president spoke in support, stressing the valuable work -that couldbe done by a branch if only the members were keen and the attendance at meetings was good. Mr. D. Taylor pointed out that under the present system one body of teachers might initiate a movement and at the next. meeting the • matter had to be. gone on with by a totally different personnel of teachers. He was in favour of the motion. On the motion of Mr. W. E. Curteis, the mover and seconder, agreed to the insertion of the word “independent” after the words “at least two.” In supporting the motion. Mr. Bates (headmaster of the Hawera School) gave his experiences in the Wanganui district, which had divided into five in-, dependent branches, co-ordinated by means of quarterly conferences. Mr. Bates said this decentralisation had enormously increased the interest in institute affairs. The motion was carried unanimously. Mr. Wagstaff then moved, and Mr. Barv seconded: “That the present executive, acting with Mr. Bates and an Opunake representative, be left to arrange the details of the separation into independent branches.” The motion was carried. The remainder of the meeting was devoted to a very interesting and refreshing lecture by Mr. H. F! McClune (headmaster of the Moturoa Observation School). The speaker recognised the difficulty that many older teachers have in adapting themselves to modern methods of teaching. Spencer had said that education was a preparation for life, but Dewey went further and held that education was not merely a preparation, but life itself. Upon this, said the lecturer, we must base our principles. There was too much beaching, too much “chalk and talk” instead of training in citizenship. There were many analogies between individual and national life. Freedom could not be given by the teacher; it must be earned by the pupils. The history • of the French and Russian Revolutions illustrated what happened when freedom was suddenly given, rather than slowly earned by the people. Exactly the same thing applied with a class. Tt was no use to say: “I am going to try a new stunt —you may do exactly what you like.” That way ended in disaster. The speaker stressed the point that there is nothing in the mind except that which is pained by experience, and wondered how much of the teaching given at school was remembered by pupils in after-life. The essence'of TllS plan wa.s co-operation rather than individualism (as in the Dalton system). Teachers could not he giving the most valuable experiences when they allowed , no co-operation among the pupils and i between the pupils and teacher. In an- ! - suer to questions. Mr McClune showed s how even the dullest mipils could lie , made to move forward and also how i f iood written work could he secured. A ; hearty vote of thanks wa.s carried hy ; acclamation. i The Hawera teachers generously pro. i vicled afternoon tea at the conclusion • of the meeting.