MASTERS DISAPPROVE EARLY SPECIALISATION

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6884, 13 April 1929, Page 8

MASTERS DISAPPROVE EARLY SPECIALISATION

Undesirable Break AUCKLAND POINTERS TO REORGANISATION CLASSES TOO LARGE. Por Press Association. AUCKLAND, Last Night. The Auckland Headmasters’ Assocition passed a resolution ‘‘that whatever form the reorganisation of the present educational system may take, it is in the interest of the children that they should continue from the age of 11 to 15 in the charge of experienced teachers now carrying on primary school work. The suggested division of children from the age of 11 into four groups for the purpose of commencing specialised work in commercial, industrial, agricultural and academic courses is not desirable in pre-adolescent stages. The most pressing need at present in our schools is a reduction in the size of many classes.”

“TOO FREQUENT.” CHANGES IN SCHOOL BOOKS. Times Service. 1 DUNEDIN, Last Night. Allegations that some school inspectors held shares in printing firms ..publishing school books, were made at a meeting of tho School Committees’ association. It was also alleged that the school books were being changed too frequently. The chairman (Mr. R. Armit) said the association was powerless to do anything, but it was in sympathy with tho protest. They had now been told that the last chance was the final one. Mr. H. Halliday said he was strongly opposed to any exploitation of the school books by printers. He was also opposed to any inspector in New Zealand being a shareholder in a printing firm which was turning out school books. Other members strongly protested against the changes in the books, pointing out that parents with large families were heavily penalised. After some further discussion the two following resolutions were carried: "That this association forward a protest to the Education board regarding the. constant changes in school books with a request that it be sent to the department and that a copy also be forwarded to each association. “That the matter of inspectors holding shares in printing firms turning out school books be referred to the executive.”