POST-PRIMARY EDUCATION

Northern Advocate, 20 December 1928, Page 4

POST-PRIMARY EDUCATION

One of the greatest difficulties confronting educationists in remodelling post-primary education, says the Post, is often the attitude of parents. They form their own ideas as to the future careers of their children, and they expect the schools to fall into line. They do not perceive that training must be in line with the natural aptitude of the pupil and not a constant light against that aptitude. In the past there has (been a difficulty in giving effect to the ideal because many '* of the secondary schools were either mainly academic or mainly vocations:. If the pupil entered at the academic school was plainly wasting his time it was yet difficult to effect a transfer to a vocational course because the parents would resist in the belief that ■ somehow the boy had failed or was being misunderstood. Now, as Mr Renner, principal of Bongotai College, pointed out recently, an endeavour is being made to provide the courses side by side, so that as the boy’s aptitude is discovered his training may be arranged. The success of this plan will, however, depend in great measure upon the co-operation of the parents. If they set their minds upon a certain course being followed and insist upon examinations being passed, they cannot expect the plan to work out. They must work with the school, not against it.