MATHS AND FRENCH WILL BE TAUGHT IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6844, 23 February 1929, Page 8

MATHS AND FRENCH WILL BE TAUGHT IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS

New Syllabus POST PRIMARY WORK FOR ADVANCED PUPILS

In an endeavour to bridge tihe gap at present existing between the primary and secondary schools, the Education department has introduced into the new primary school syllabus, threo post-primary subjects which may bo taught to the more advanced pupils in the two upper standards of the Dominion’s primary schools. The subjects specified in the syllabus aro ono language—either Latin or Drench —and elementary mathematics, aii three of cour3o being only in their rudimentary stages. The subjects aro made optional and it is laid down that they are to be taught only to the more advanced pupils of standards 5 and 6. The Palmerston North headmasters’ executive has discussed the matter and according to tho chairman, Mr. W. A. Swinbouxn, ha 3 decided that these postprimary subjects will be taught in the Palmerston North schools and has furthermore determined that, of the two alternative languages, French shall be the one in which instruction shall bo given. In view of the Palmerston North headmasters’ decision, it is interesting to note that the Wellington headmasters are understood to have decided to take no action for a year in the matter of introducing post primary subjects into their schools. Acting in Concert.

In deciding to try out tho experiment, the Palmerston North headmasters considered that the schools should, act in concert, as the drift of population and tho consequent changing of children from one school to another, would miimise any good that might be dono if ono headmaster decided to teach the subjects and another did not do so.

However, as another headmaster pointed out, the introduction of these subjects into tho schools is purely experimental and optional and each headmaster reserves to himself tho right to discontinue instruction should ho consider it inadvisable to proceed further with the post primaiy work. At the same time, tho opinion was expressed to a reporter who visited tho schools yostorday, that the innovation would servo a very good purpose in breaking ground for tho secondary school work.

It was pointed ouit that a good class could quite easily covor the primary work in less than the school year and thus be able to devote tho extra time to a preparation for secondary education. There were, of course, difficulties in tho way, such as the uneven standard of attainment in some classes, tho method of selection of children to whom the post-primary work would be of real benefit and the difficulty of knowing which pupils were likely to continue their schooling beyond tho primary stage.

Grounding for Secondary Schools, However, the Palmerston North schools have decided to give the experiment a trial and accordingly, will shortly commence to introduce tho upper standard pupils to the mysteries of French, algebra and geometry. The department’s inspectors in drawing up tho syllabus, plainly realised the danger of killing any liking for the subjects in the pupils by too early an introduction to uncongenial essentials and to that end have directed that very little grammar shall be taught in the French, which will bo almost entirely of a conversational nature, with importance placed on correct pronunciation.

The algebra and geometry taught will also be of a very elementary nature, tho whole scheme being designed to break the ground gently for the pupil instoad of plunging him unprepared into tho mysteries that confront him at-a secondary school It was mado plain that this innovation does not moan tho formation of a seventh standard, as is apparently believed by some parents, but merely a small addition to the regular work of the brighter scholars who aro qualified to undertake it. One headmaster gave it as his opinion that in some cases, up to two hours’ instruction a week might bo given in the extra subjects without detriment to the ordinary work of a good pupil.

Shortly to Commence. At the present time, Hokowhitu appears to bo the only one of the five town schools where instruction in the post primary subjects has actually commenced. Teachers at present, are giving attention to the selection of pupils and the drawing up of schemes of work in conformity with the syllabus. At Terraco End, tho first step was taken at Tuesday evening’s school committee meeting, when it was decided to purchase a set of phonetic gramaphono records to aid in the teaching of French. At Central, College St. and West End, the preliminary work will shortly bo commenced, while it is understood that the matter will bo further discussed by the headmasters at a later date.