INSTRUCTION IN AGRICULTURE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 12 March 1925, Page 4

INSTRUCTION IN AGRICULTURE

PROGRESS IN TARANAKI. THE YEAR - REVIEWED. ! _ At yesterday’s meeting of the Taranaki Education Board, the senior instructor in agriculture. (Mr R. G. Ridling) submitted the following report on the work carried out in the province during the past .year:— ’•During tlie year all the schools in the education district were visited by instructors, the number of visits to) each school varying Avith the exigencies of tlie Avork and Avith the remoteness of the schools. More attention AVas given to the conduct of the Avorlc in the more remote schools than in previous years, and these visits have proved most stimulative. Teachers a~e realising more and more the vaiue of nature study and agriculture as subjects Avorthy of a lngh place in our educational system, and the subjects are being used as instruments in the intellectual development of the child. A neAV spirit- is apparent in the work, and most teachers are using the subjects to give not scientific training only, but are developing the application of the principles to problems in the immediate' neighbourhood of the school. “The difficulty regarding schemes has been completely removed by the issue of a composite scheme in nature study and agriculture by the board. This scheme is hoav in operation in all schools, and is proving helpful. “In general the experimental Avork undertaken in the schooLs has the solution of some definite problem -i nvieAV. No matter hoAV simple the problem is; this should alAvays 'be the case. Instructors do not encourage mechanical AA’Ork for its own sake, and teachers are improving in their use of the school garden, so that generally it has become a laboratory Avhere the solution of problems is undertaken. Some -of the problems haA r e had a definite bearing upon local difficulties, ana m some schools the results obtained have had. a A-ery definite interest to the farmers of the. district. This inter-relationship of the Avork of the school and local problems is desirable, and is encouraged by the instructors. „ “The results at the annual examination show that there has been a definite improvement in the work.- The mean of the marks for 1923 Avas 26.4/50, while the mean of the marks for 1924 was 27.4/50. This, raising of the mean by 2 per cent, indicates definite advancement.

“Classes AA-eub conducted throughout the year - at Inglewood, Stratford, Eltham, Hawera, and Manaia. Definitely sound Avork Avas performed at some of the centres, while that at other centres Avas indifferent and failed to rfeach the standard of previous years. Without doubt the teaching of the underlying sciences as applied to agriculture is beneficial, and ft does lighten considerably the burden of the scientific work in subsequent courses in technical arid, secondary schools. ." ; “Throughout the year classes for teachers have been held at New Plymouth, Stratford and HaAvera. In addition to these classes a summer school Avas held during January, 1924, and was attended by 20, teachers. The work can be handled in the school as well as giving instruction in examination Avork. The short concentrated course has very distinct advantages over intermittent lessons in this wokr. As a result of th£ year’s Avork 34 teach-' ecs obtained practical certica-tes. . “Interest in the improvement of school environment is maintained- generally throughout the district. Plans have ijn some cases been submitted by instructors and Avork is usually carried out urider their direction. The efforts of teachers and committees are deserving of appreciation. 1 - “A very definite\ advance has..been' made in afforestation, and the impetus given to it has been felt throughout the schools of the Dpminion, and is affecting the attitude of farmers*towards afforestatiori. Arrangements hat'd been made Avith the Forestry Department for supplies of seeds, and this will help considerable in fostering the work. Thirty-seven schools received seeds in November and December, but a' number of schools have already made arrangements. •* “The display made by schools at tV* Hatvera Winter Show tvas both interesting and educative. “During the year the work done i-p----der the auspices of the clubs has continued. Reorganisation of the club executives has been carried out, and has resulted in renetved interest in this Work. Good results are maintained. “A pleasing feature of the work this year has been the interest of teachers in the emprovement and environment of schools other than those under their charge. Gifts of rose plants were made by the teacher and pupils of the Oaonui School'to other schools less fortunately situated. These gifts have been much appreciated. A system of exchange of shrubs and trees will do much to foster-/ general improvement in school environment.”