Education Overseas

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 160, 10 July 1939, Page 2

Education Overseas

ADDRSESS TO TEACHERS Concerning himself principally with organisation and administration, Mr. George Ashbridge, who spent eleven months in Europe, the United States, Canada and Hawaii, gave an insight into educational methods in other parts of the world to a meeting of the Manawatu branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute on Saturday night. Tho visit abroad of Mr. Ashbridge, who is secretary of the institute, was mado possible both by tho Carnegie Corporation of New York, which gave him a visitors* grant, and by the assistance of the institute.

Mr. Ashbridge gave a review of the work of the National Union of Teachers in London, where he had tho opportunity of seeing the work of the various departments of the union brought to a focal point. The executive, he said, had been assisted in its functions by an advisory committee of teachers. The growing complexity of national education had shown the need for the creation of committees of the union to which the union could refer technical problems for expert opinion. Furthermore, the union had undertaken fundamental research designed to help teachers in their work or to improve the conditions under which it was conducted.

He had also been privileged to ‘at tend meetings of a joint committee of tho Association of Education Committees and the National Union of Teachers set up to investigate and report on the content of education for pupils in public elementary schools between the ages of 31 and 15. The central authority for education in England and Wales was the Board of Education, added Mr. Ashbridge. It was not a board in the usual senso, but a governmental department, corresponding to *our Education Department. Its influence and authority were derived from its duty as a grant-distributing agency of tho Government. The relation of the English Board of Education to the local education authorities was based on consultation and co-operation, and both were bound by Acts of Parliament. Regulations issued by the board governed conditions under which grants were made. It was the board’s policy to give to school authorities and to teachers a large measure of freedom in the actual conduct of tho schools. Ho had been struck with tho freedom of teachers from official control on questions relating to school organisation, curricula, and methods of teaching, and could not fail to be aware of tho sad contrast offered by conditions in Germany, where every detail of the teacher’s life was minutely regimented from above. On the whole, the English teacher had reason to regard tho Central Board as a friend and protector, maintaining standards of pay and conditions of work that, in some areas, would bo infringed on by the too thrifty and even niggardly local education authorities. The superannuation scheme in England was on a contributory basis, added the speaker, the teachers and the local authorities each contributing 5 per cent. Tho scheme differed from that in voguo in New Zealand in that it was guaranteed by the State and no separate fund had been created from which pensions were paid.

Mr. Ashbridge also dealt with the educational work of tho National Educational Association of America, which is tho largest national organisation there.

“The way in which school facilities are mado available to the community is one of tho pleasing aspects of education in the United States,” proceeded. “In New York tho facilities of tho school buildings are available to provide recreation to adult residents during the evenings. If a building is used regularly in this way, it is known as a community centre.”

In America the Advanced School of Education had been established to facilitate advanced study and research in education. Tlio faculty of the Advanced School had charge of programmes leading to tho degrees of Doctor of Education and Doctor of Philosophy, and tho programmes of study and research beyond tho doctor’s degree. Certain professors had been relieved of other responsibilities so as- to devote more of their time to giving advice and guidance to students, and special library facilities were being developed. Mr. Ashbridge’s lecture was illustrated by educational films from Britain, which were shown on a modern projector which is used in schools in Ingland. Miss A. T. Fowles, president of the local branch, presided, and at the conclusion of his address, Mr. Ashbridge was given a vote of thanks.