VISIT BY MINISTER

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 139, 14 May 1941, Page 11

VISIT BY MINISTER

ADDRESS TO TEACHERS.

Congratulations were extended by the Minister ol Education (Hon. H. G. R. Mason) to teachers attending the refresher course at the Central School, when he visited them yesterday, on the zeal and enthusiasm for their calling which their attendance had shown. The Minister said lie thought it right that a Minister of Education should meet the teachers because, in his office, the human element might appear rather distant. Teaching was not merely ‘‘telling, ’ the Minister emphasised, and he stressed the value ot the personality pi the teacher and commended their aims to improve personality. The gathering was also addressed by Dr. C. E. C. Beeby (Director of Education) who accompanied the Minister. Dr. Beeby referred to the recent conference of senior inspectors and commented on the term “the new freedom” to which many misconceptions had been attached. Under this, lie said, the teachers had a right to expect- more instruction and assistance in how to apply it. It was not desired that the Education Department be the sole agent for the introduction of new ideas, and over the next period it was reasonable to expect that greater assistance would bo afforded teachers. Physical education, an essential part of education as a whole, was a part of the new freedom. Certain changes had been made in regard to the inspectorate. The itineraries of inspectors had been made as flexible as possible and the biennial grading ol teachers decided upon so that the inspectors might l>e afforded more time to apply to their better functions, those of assisting and guiding teachers. The visitors were welcomed by Mr E. Crosbv (who has charge of the course on behalf of the inspectorate), and Mr TV. IT. Brown (a Palmerston North member of the Wanganui Education Board). The thanks of the gathering were expressed to Mr Mason and Dr. Beeby, on the completion of Choir addresses. by 51 r H. W, Jackson, headmaster of the 5\ est End School.