EDUCATIONAL PROBLEM

Hokitika Guardian, 6 January 1921, Page 4

EDUCATIONAL PROBLEM

[by TELEGRAPH- —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Jan 5. The Educational Institute discussed tho problem of backward children at the school. A special committee reported having sent schedules to 472 schools, and 191 returned them. The report

stressed the importance of the feet that an oven percentage of children Wore making only slow progress; It pointed out that the result of the inves--1 orations shows that no co-relation has been established as to retardation from any one cause. The chief cause appeared to be low intelligence. The grading of “accelerates,” or children of

superior general ability. The luunbei o ant ft problem as the diagnosis of children of inferior ability. The number of pupils on which reports were made is 16 850 in town schools and 7606 m country schools. The “retardates” numbered 9312 in town schools, and the “accelerates” 754.6. The corresponding figures for the country were 3641 and 3965. Taking the totals lor New Zealand, there were 1442 more “retardates” than “accelerates.” Of the total “retardates,” eleven per cent, were reported to be of low intellect, and 8 per cent., actually feeble-minded. In the countrv schools the figures were 15 per tout, and 1.8 per cent, respectively. The committee commented that no scientific methods had been adopted to test intelligence, and suggested the application of intelligence tests to typical schools hv qualified persons after children had been classified by their own teacher as of noral or sub-normal intelligence. A comparison of town and (Oiintry schools showed that 4 per cent, of all “retardates” in towns, and 8 per cent, in the country had to work before or after school at least two hours. Aftoi a discussion, the report was referred hack to the committee to ascertain how much retardation was due to insufficient or poor accommodation, and incompetent teachers. Tlie conference resolved to enter an emphatic protest against the recently gazetted regulations re the staffing of schools as a distinct infringement on the freedom hitherto accorded. as by right, to head teachers of organising their schools to the best of their ability, subject to review by department inspectors. It. was decided to ask the Minister to have the regulations at once rescinded.