Manawatu Daily Times TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1924. Prolonging Secondary School Days.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 2564, 23 December 1924, Page 4

Manawatu Daily Times TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1924. Prolonging Secondary School Days.

There Is much to he said for the spending of a post-matriculation year at a secondary school, a practice strongly advocated by the headmaster of the Auckland Grammar School at Itho annual prize-giving. It certainly has a salutary effect upon the school. The older pupils (in the opinion of the Auckland Herald), coming to years when a sense of responsibility is deepening, exorcise a steadying a'nd inspiring influence by their example and service. Their juniors are impressed as they see discipline honoured by those who are still scholars. They are encouraged to qualify for I like distinction in their turn. And, other thing's being equal, the older I these senior scholars are, the greater i will be the beneficial influence they ! yield. The result in the characters i and careers of those remaining for the extra year is also calculated to be advantageous. In thai_ year of adolescence, when life’s limits are being rapidly extended and its powers increase by leaps and bounds, to bo entrusted with duty and leadership is pricelcssly helpful in the cultivation of initiative, self-reliance and respect for social good; and, since moral qualities are of greater importance ithian physical or intellectual in any worthy scheme of education, this gain is one greatly to be valued. It may be objected that the retarding of entry to university life or to occupations as a means of livelihood is harmful. That is not so, in any sense meriting serious consideration. University studies are frequently taken ■up at too young an age. Eligible to matriculate at sixteen, the scholar is then too iil-equipped to appreciate many subjects—economics and philosophy may bo cited as typical of such subjects—dealt with from an adult point of view. A little more practical experience of life and a little more preparation under second-ary-school guidance would make the university years more profitable. There arc instances innumerable of graduates bemoaning that they undertook university studies before ■they were able to profit fully by them. As for those to whom the matriculation test is in practice a leaving examination, a finish to their educaton, although they too will suffer a retarding of their careers, the ultimate gain should Car outweigh any such loss. Parents will do well to take Mr Drummond’s plea to heart. Whatever bo entailed —and the economic pressure that hastens the end of schooldays Is not forgotten—the greatest kindness that parents can show to their children is the giving to them of the utmost preparation possible, whether for the university or the workaday world.