Increased Study of Farming in all Parts of British Empire

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6677, 2 August 1928, Page 9

Increased Study of Farming in all Parts of British Empire

[ KINGSTON,'JAMAICA. - , 1 Teachers in Great Britain and in the • various possessions; of the British Em- ' pirc, though separated in many in- ’ stances by thousands of miles, are meeting problems to-day which are inherently similar, according to the Duchess of Atholl, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the British Board of Education, who has made an inspection of schools on the island’of Jamaica during a visit to the British West Indies. “The teachers are realising that education is a vital factor which can form a link in a more closely, united Empire and are aiming to reconcile any conflicting states the Duchess of Atholl. . Instructors throughout ; the English possessions arc trying to hairmOjalse purely academic education with broad vocational training so that each child will have a chance to find the occupation which is best suited to him. The aim is to give him a real stimulus and purpose in work so that he may become a valued and active citizen'who desires to serve his community and his l country to the best pf his ability. - : “If these aims are fulfilled educators will be adding to the sum of hu- | man happiness and' human efficiency | and they will be directing i powerful , and influential forces toward the ;scr- [ vice of the Empire for its many and varying needs. With such high goals there need bo no fear of a too narrow ! vocationalism on one hand nor a pUr- , posclcss study of the classics 'on the other. It has taken centuries to get' away from certain limitations and to realise that the education of all the people of the country is something infinitely wider and much bigger than the training of boys for oho or two vocations, ktated tho Duchess. “One ,of ; the, current developments in education is the increased study, of agriculture- , Agriculture is. becoming more scientific and something -not to be despised as a part -of libcrpl education. It the only industry in the Empire which mt present is capable of unlimited expansion and - yet,-on all sides our young people are- drifting toward the towns, the result too often being distressing unemployment.”. . Advances made in agricultural and other vocational , training in various parts of the Empire were related by the speaker. . “In Victoria, Australia, a scheme has been in existence for'

four years whereby fifty acres of land is offered to school- children for af forestation if their parents -will undertake to erect vermin-proof fences costing - iromf £IOO to £3OO. ■,. The children do not get the entire fifty acres per year. There are now .116 such plantations in operation and one hundred additional applications have been filed by the school pupils. The plan has been a great influence in interesting the children in what is one of Australia’s greatest -needs—-af-forestation. Australia also offers practical training for girl student?. The latter cook meals, for those; pupils who have lunch at school and. they also keep house for the teachers., “In South Africa agriculture .and nature -study *rq_., .being emphasised more and more in the schools. Bombay and Punjab schools likewise are devoting increased time, and effort to these studies. . '. ' “Teachers in distant parts of Australia. co-operate in/'carrying out agricultural experiments with the aid of tho farmers. At" Cape ‘TtfWn agricultural training is required for the matriculation courses and such training is piovided for teachers in the’ secondary schools. ’ : 1 ' “In Malay there is theoretical and practical training in - gardening and agnculture; instruction in basketry, rough carpentry and net making; and courses in classification and improvement of soils, plant growth, propagation, and surveying. . Here special advantages are offered ■! to--, the teachers - who, after leaving - college, , receive special bulletins-from tho Department of Agriculture and arc entitled to receive new varieties oi plants,, from,-the department as' well as departmental supervision in experimental work. , 1 “England, although not reaching tho Malayan standard, has arranged vacation courses-for teachers, in domestic science and agriculture and a special experimental syllabus has been prepared for instructors who. enter the rural fields.”, r- m- ■v v ’ v ;■; : In mentioning another development of open air schools,, the , Duchess of Atholl commohtqd favourably ,on ‘tnc fact,that many!classes in ' Jamaican schools are conducted out of doors. In visiting tho various scho.dls" 1 of 'tho island she had been pleased ;to find the children out* in the gardens'' near, tho school' whore, in the gloriqus frepli air and, sunshine, they studied and recited their lessons. ’ •