MODERN EDUCATION.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 29 April 1925, Page 5

MODERN EDUCATION.

' MANY CHANGES MADE. HEALTH OF THE' CHILDREN Some of the changes that have taken place in the outlook on education were referred to by the Minister for Education, Sir J arnes Parr, in his speech at the opening of the Eltham school yesterday. The Minister said that the war had brought about many changes; it had brought about world-wide changes, 1 and perhaps the most important was a change in the outlook with regard to the improvement of the ordinary individual or human being. And to make this improvement they had to realise the wisdoni and the great necessity of educating ithe child., There had been many changes in the education of the child, the last being a complete change in outlook. For over 100 years prior to the lie ginning of the present century the child had been treated as something which had to fit into the school curriculum. Since the commencement of the present century, however, there had arisen a new idea of child life and child psychology. The curriculum now had to fit in with the necessities of the child. The old system had been to put the children into a common mould of “cram and stuff,” where the child’s brain was regarded as an empty receptacle into which the teacher crammed knowledge. HEALTH OF THE CHILD.

Passing on the Minister pointed out that to-cfay schools were, erected that in the .first instance had regard to lighting, ventilation, and sunshine and a northern aspect. Further, in the rooms they did not want too many children. All this was taken into consideration in providing for the health of the child. In the old days ' those in authority had thought nothing o: ventilation, hut to-day it was the policy “of those that comprised the British nation to nurture their children and give them of the best. Thar was why they in Elthaip had such a fine school. Continuing, the Minister referred to tjie consideration which was being given to lighting in new schools; Doctors said that half the diseases ot the eye were caused by faulty lighting. and therefore schools to-day were being so constructed that the light fell over the left shoulder of the /child. That was the natural lighting effect, and so i n the class-rooms the light was now natural, and not unnatural as before. Further, the educational facilities of to-day provided for the examination of the children by doctors and dentists, who defeated ailments and cared for the health of the children generally. All this was done for the child, and done for the reason that in modern times, in every educational system worthy of the name, the child was king, and not the authorities. And educationalists believed that if they did their duty by the child, the child would grow to be a citizen efficient for life’s work. The Minister went on to sav that there were pleasure hours in connection with which the education of a child had to lie considered. A headmaster did not succeed in performing his duty if he did not give to the child a desire for good literature, something more than the penny dreadful. 'The object of education ‘to-dav was not only to teach tlio child how‘to earn a living, but to best enjoy its life. Pleasure hours were just as important as work hours.