LIBERAL EDUCATION

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 145, 19 May 1930, Page 2

LIBERAL EDUCATION

WORK OF W.E.A. WELLINGTON, May 18. The existence among many school teachers of dissatisfaction with tho increasing tendency for purely vocational training to predominate jn education, was discussed by Mr K. Ross, of the Feilding Agricultural High School, at tho Dominion Conference of tho Workers’ Educational Association on Saturday. Mr Ross said that he had attended the annual conference of the New Zealand Technical Schools’ Association and the Dominion Summer School, and it was evident that teachers were very sympathetic toward tho W.E.A. It was felt that the movement stood for something cultural and not merely vocational. There was a feeling of dissatisfaction among many teachers today with what might be termed the vocational taint in education, or even perhaps the “agricultural bias.” A need was felt for a more liberal education with the object of inculcating culture in its truest form. Mr W. J. Morrell, principal of the Otago Boys’ High School, and vicechancellor of the. University of Otago, . said that he knew teachers were in sympathy with tho aims of the W.E.A. One function of a living university should be to concern itself with extramural education. 31 r F. Jones, of Otago, asked whether it would be possible to acquaint those leaving school with the work of the W.E.A. in adult education. Many left secondary schools and ceased their education. Some went into trades and turned _ their backs entirely uj>on culture in its higher forms. Mr Ross said that a small sheet containing information on vocational training was handed to those leaving secondary schools, and it would be easy to 'insert a paragraph upon tho work of the W.E.A. A letter was received from the New Zealand Technical School Teachers’ Association enclosing a resolution passed at tho Dominion Conference, expressing tho opinion that the Education Department should co-operate with the W.E.A. The object should be to provide, at suitable periods, short intensive courses for adolescents in scattered farming communities, the courses to be cultural as well as vocational.