AGRICULTURE IN SCHOOLS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 12 February 1925, Page 8

AGRICULTURE IN SCHOOLS.

AFFORESTATION. TARANAKI INSTRUCTOR’S REPORT. THE BOARD’S SATISFACTION. At the mooting - of the Taranaki Education Board yesterday favourable comment ■ was made on a report i>v the senior instructor in agriculture (Mr R. C. Ridling)’ upon the conference of agricultural instructors held recently at Wellington. The chairman of the Board, Mr S. O Smith, M.P., said that the report would give members general satisfaction as it showed to a large extent that what other districts were aiming at had already been taken up in Taranaki. The report was as follows:

A r’for esta t ion. — Messrs Page and Gray and Miss Sutherland of the Forestry Section, met the inspectors and aerienltur.ol instructors in conference with the object of increasing the value of forestry work done in the. schools. The concrete proposals they submitted were along the lines upon which tlie scheme is working in Taranaki. They suggested distributing to each board a small sum of money for distribution ns prizes among the schools doing the best work in forestry problems. The eonferenre was not in agreemnt with this suggestion, and herbarian specimens, young trees, certificates, etc., were suggested as alternatives. They further suggested they would be glad to cooperate with , agricultural instructors and visit schools to give help and advice upon the conduct of the work. The value of Arbor Day for planting of trees nnd interesting the residents of the. districts in the work was stressed. The Forestry Section showed its keen desire to help in developing this work by supplying rending matter, taking charge of a bureau for the exchange of trees between school and school, etc. They suggested that if agricultural instructors visited the nursery in Rotorua in November much interest would be aroused as the result. Nothing arose in conference upon this matter which is not already the practice in Taranaki. Work in Schools. —The instructors went, into conference later regarding the following matters: (I) The duties of instructors in district high schools: (2) the improvement of agricultural instruction in primary schools; (3) boys’ and girls’ agricultural clubs. The first minute caused considerable discussion, and 'the instructors were divided into two schools: (a) Those who affirmed that the work in district high schools should be carried out wholly by the specialist,; (bj those who affirmed thal the work should be carried out bv the teacher under the guidance of the specialist. It was agreed that the onus lay with the Department to sec that teachers received a training which enabled them to conduct the work to the standard required when given the assistance and advice of the specialist. This minute Was further considered at the conference with the departmental officers during the afternoon. Differences of opinion again appeared. The departmental-attitude is that the work should be carried out by the members of the school staff, who should be advised by tlie specialist instructors, and if necessary guided in the work. Examples of the success of each system as outlined above were given, and the matter was left without any resolution. This minute affects this Board from the beginning of this year in the Manaia District High School, and also through the rural science classes. Departmental wishes on these matters are clear, and where teachers are available who can do this work or who. by training in refresher or special courses, can be trained to do this work, then there should be no reason why sound results cannot be obtained.

Agricultural Instruction. Minute (2) was discussed and left almost entirely as outlined by your representative. The following points were brought under the notice of the Department: (a) .The need for more exact training in the training colleges so that teachers are enabled not. only to teach the subject, but realise its national importance; (b) .the need for frequent refresher courses 'among teachers; (e) the not'd for encouraging rural teachers to take interest in; various rural societies, e.g., Farmers’ Unions, A. and P. Associations, co-operative dairy companies, etc.,, so that varying interests might be co-oidinated and mutual benefit derived; (d> flic need for alteration of the certificate of proficiency so that, marks should be shown in all subjects of examination, proficiency to be the result of a percentage gain on the principle governing public service entrance examination allotments; (e) the need for ej-ordinating the work undertaken in the various districts throughout New Zealand. The instructors were in agreement that the points outlined above were essential to ensure he efficient conduct of the work. Clubs. —Minute (3), on the boys’ and girls’ agricultural clubs, became a discussion by the Taranaki and Wanganui representatives on this work and comparison with the home garden work carried out in other districts. Tt was agreed that the club work entailed all the essential points of sound agricultural training. During the afternoon the instructors and inspectors and other departmental officers met. as outlined above. The discussion upon minute (1) has been outlined. A further subject, “How the work of agriculture instruction should be carried out in primary schools,’’ was considered. It developed into a descrintion that was of little but local importance. The methods adopted in Taranaki, it was agreed, contained the essentials of sound training. These were: (I) The development of the project svstem in work, both inside and outside the school; (2) the importance of teaching scientific method in all branches of the work.

The report, was adopted by the Hoard with great satisfaction.