THE SCHOOL AGE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17881, 29 August 1918, Page 5

THE SCHOOL AGE.

NEED FOR EXTENSION.

ADDRESS BY MR C. T. ASGHMAN.

At the annual meeting of the Canterbury Employers’ Association last evening an address was delivered by Mr C. T. Aschman, president of tho Canterbury Branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute, on. “Some Phases of the Educational Needs of To-day.” Mr Aschman, in tho course of his remarks, dealt with the need for a public .spirit in respect to education, and tho need for an extended post-primary course of education. Tho fact that such an important and representative body had invited tho speaker to say something on tho subject of education waa evidence of a beginning of tho awakening of public interest on tho subject. The New Zealand Educational Institute was taking the fullest advantage of all such opportunities. There was a danger, in leaving education entirely to the academic mind, that purely academic standards of success would bo adopted in tho schools, standards which would not ensure success in later life. The schoolmaster’s estimate of a “clever boy ” was often very different from that of the outsido world. Ho did not advocate a curriculum designed by business men. That work was bettor performed by the educational experts, but these should be advised by the commercial and industrial experts as to whether tho product of the schools was adapted to their requirements. To use au illustration, tho users of a manufactured product might know nothing of tho processes of manufacture, but tho wise manufacturer would always listen to the consumers when these pointed out that tho product did not suit their requirements. Tho speaker mado a strong plea for an extension of tho school age. From either tho utilitarian or spiritual standard the need for more education was indisputable. Was it not possible that the balance between Labour and Capital would bo made more stable by giving tho youth of the community a broader outlook? The time lor choosing a vocation should be placed later than at present, and children should be sent into tho world better equipped, to assume the responsibilities of a vocation than was at present the case. The curriculum in tho extended school period must give a training not only for tho work but for the leisure of life. The importance of training for leisure couid not- be over-estimated. At present many children were turned out of the schools with no idea of how to occupy their leisure moments, save by idling them away, and this had its deleterious effect on the working hours The man was more than the workman. For schools to turn out efficient workmen was a meaner end than to turn out men of well-founded character. Every child not only had a right to the intellectual inheritance of tho race, but could not live without it. Labour and Capital would only arrive at harmony when tho narrowness and prejudice on both sides were dissipated, and better education was tho best means of bringing this about. The course of training the speaker had ir view should be purely pre-vocationai. The longer the choice of a vocation could bo postponed, the better- Vocational technical education could then follow, on as scientific and efficient lines as possible, but tho development of character and personality must come first in time and in importance. Mr F. W. llbbbs said that the association had never listened to a more interesting or valuable address than that given by Mr Asclunan. They all owed a deep debt of gratitude to tho Educacational Institute and the Education Conference at present sitting for stimulating public interest on the subject of education. Personally, judging by his own boys, the speaker considered that, while the present primary system was, all things considered, a good and suitable one. the secondary system was not nearly as satisfactory. There seemed to be no instruction in citizenship, and ho was pleased to hear Mr Aschman say that this defect would be remedied in his proposed post-primary course. 110 moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Aschman for his illuminating and stimulating: address. Mr D. Jones seconded the motion, and said that Mr Aschman had probably relished the opportunity of impressing his views on so many fathers of families. The speaker expressed the opinion that the consolidation of country schools, discussed recently by the Education Conference, would do much to help education in rural districts. The chairman (Mr A. F. Drayton) suggested that the association should discuss tho matters brought forward by Mr Aschman at a general meeting at an early date. The motion was carried by acclama*tioa.