Education Conference.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4284, 20 July 1899, Page 3

Education Conference.

(per pbbss association.)

Wellington, July 20.

Thft afternoon sitting of the Education Conference was occupied in debating the subject of the abolition of the individual standaid pass. Mr Grundy, of Wellington, moved: "That in the opinion of this Conference this pass should be abolished." Most of the delegates took part in the discussion, which was considered the most import* ant on the order paper. Those in favour argued that the present system had been tried and found wanting, both here and at Home. It was peculiar to Great Britain, and had never been adopted either on the Continent of Europe or in America. Under it bright children were kept back and dull ones unduly driven, and other hardships inflicted on scholars. It was claimed that teachers were best qualified to promote children, and not inspectors, who were unfamiliar with, the material. On the other hand some delegates thought ' there was danger in adopting the new system, and objeoted that the English system had become a burden to both teachers «nd inspectors. Examination by sample and reports from teachers was the ideal method. Though the time was ripe for some adaptation of Mr Grnndy's proposal generally, it was not advisible to substitute supervision for examination. For country schools it was urged that the pats system was necessary. The delegates representing the teachers were unanimously in favour of the motion, and were generally supported by the inspectors and board delegates. After a proviso had been added reserving the right to inspectors to examine where they thought necessary, the motion was finally put in the following form—" That in the opinion of this Conference the individual standard pass should be abolished, but that the right is reserved to inspectors to examine all pupils of any class, or of any school, if he see fit." This was carried by 28 to 8. The result was received with applause. '