Primary Education

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 16 August 1934, Page 5

Primary Education

Teachers’ Criticism of Existing System REGARDED AS OBSOLETE (By Telegraph—Pi©ss Association). WELLINGTON, Aug. 15. A meeting of over 200 primary school teachers to-night discussed importantaspects of the present educational ?.vstem. A large number of speakers treated various aspects of the system, from which the conclusion was made that it was: obsolete and “not education but mere instruction.” The following motion was carrier’ “This meeting deplores oho manner an which primary education has been constantly attacked. In common with other communities New Zealand is confronted with a gigantic problem of reconstruction. The school is an institution essential to such reconst ruction, but instead of being, remodelled along progressive lines <he school is having its obsolete features perpetuated and its means of performing vital functions seriously impaired. The teachers ask the public to consider the unwisdom of narrowing the mental horizon and confining the abilities of children who will have in adult life a new and very difficult world to conquer. This meeting pledges itself to act co-operatively with all interest, ed organisations to give pupils a full opportunity of cultivating their faculties and developing their powers. Several, other motions were carried, urging smaller classes, better equipment, and facilities in classrooms, particularly the replacement of the present unsatisfactory text hooks, and the readmission of five-year-olds, and deprecating the poor rates of pay ration, eel teachers were receiving.