WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1924. ADULT EDUCATION.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 24 September 1924, Page 4

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1924. ADULT EDUCATION.

Ruskih wrote wisely that, “the entire object of true education is to make people not merely do the right things, but enjoy the right things,” and that “the. first use of education is to enable us to consult with the wisest and greatest men on all points of earnest difficulty.” We suppose that most people realise that next to health, which is undoubtedly the individual’s greatest wealth, comes education. From their early years children in New Zealand are sent to school and they are not long there before they learn to read and write and are introduced to the various other subjects for Avhich the syllabus makes provision. They all pass through the primary schools, but at that stage some enter trades or professions, while others continue their studies at secondary schools for two or three years. But the great majority do not go further, and we fear that many people pass through the following ten •or twenty years giving little if any time to improving their education. It is true that experience is a good though often severe teacher, but experience does not necessarily encourage one in cultural education. In various parts of the British Empire recent years have witnessed the growth of an organisation which is capable of producing excellent results. Its aim is to bring within the reach of the people the means for extending their knowledge and encourages them to enter upon courses of study. The movement is known; as the Workers’ Educational Association, and, though its aims were misunderstood and some of the lec-

turers had perhaps a Avrong conception of their duties, it is growing, and there are in New Zealand to-day eightyeight classes with 3355 students enrolled, compared with eight classes of 240 students in 1915. Replying to a deputation last week, the Hon. C. J. Parr stated that “it is conceded by the Government and the Education Department that the Workers’ Educational Association is doing useful work. ” Mr Massey also admitted that the work being carried out by the association was of a very useful character, “particularly as it aimed to encourage adult education when school or college days were gone. ” The chief value of the movement- is that it encourages members of the classes to think and to go deeper into the subjects chosen for discussion than they would go otherwise. The progress of the association may be regarded as evidence of a desire among a number of people for a higher and fuller life, and such a desire deserves to be fostered. In Hawera the class, numbering over thirty, chose for its course the science of economics, a scienee which provides a great field for thought and study. Students have given their minds to the lectures, and no doubt they have learned a great deal during the session which will enable them to see problems in a new light. It is interesting to find that the members of, the Workers’ Educational Association, who decide upon the course of study each session, seem to prefer economics, but they are not bound to that subject only, and probably it would serve the aim of the organisation better if a change of subject were made each year. Economics is a most interesting study, but one is inclined to think that there are other courses that might prove of more practical value. Erom one’s association with, people in every day life one thinks that studies in history, especially in the history of the British Empire, would, be found very interesting to a elass, and it might be suggested that next, year the Hawera class might change from a study of economics to some other subject. By changing from time to time a better all-round knowledge would be gained, and the members of the class would be better able “to consult with the wisest and the greatest , men on all points of earnest difficulty.” However, we are pleased that the class has been continued, and we hope that the association will prove of value to students and will help fr ward the cause o.f adult education.