SECONDARY EDUCATION.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 27 August 1925, Page 5

SECONDARY EDUCATION.

ALTERATION IN SYSTEM. * MINISTER ’S ANNOUNCEMENT. (BY TKLF.fm APH PRFHR ASSOCIATION. WELLINGTON, Aug. 26. Speaking at the laying of the. foundation. stone of the Hut-t A r nlley High School to-day, the Minister for Education (Sir Janies Parr) outlined an important departure in the educational system of the country as affecting the inter-relationship between primary and secondary schools. “In the near future,’’ Sir Janies said, “the. Department of Education will have to face a serious problem. In New Zealand it has been the general thing for children to commence their high school career at the age of 14 years. Nowhere else in the world is that so. In every other country the primary school course is brought to a close at 12 years, and the high school course commences from that age. That is the proper age to. join a high school. “If, then) the child went in with, a junior scholarship and leaves at the age of 15, it‘leaves with a much better education than under the existing New Zealand system,, where the. primary course is prolonged and a child going in at the, age of 14 years spends only one year at a high' school. The otners will,' of course, go on from 15 to 18 years at a secondary school, and there is no reason why in New Zealand an attempt should not be made to send bovs and girls,' who intend to remain at “school until that age, to a secondary school at 11 to J.2 years of age. That is wliat is being,done all over the world to-day. Our present system has borne excellent results, largely owing to the high intelligence of the children of this country, but jt is not the system generally accepted as being in the best interests of the children. “There is, no use,’’ continued tlie Minister, “in going on as we arc. It is my duty as Minister for Education to tell you how improvements may be effected. Possibly next year the reform will bo brotight about, and those who intend to remain at school until the a"e o‘f 17 ot 18 will join the high school at 11 or 12. It is not a thing that can be brought about in a day, but, having recognised the principle, we will gradually bring about the change, which will be for the betterment of the children.” /