NATIVE TEACHERS’ REFRESHER COURSE

Northern Advocate, 12 February 1936, Page 7

NATIVE TEACHERS’ REFRESHER COURSE

BIG GATHERING AT KAIKOHE [Special to “Northern Advocate:'! KAIKOHE, This Day. The native school .teachers’ refresher course, which commenced at Kaikohe this morning, is being attended* by. oyer 100 teachers from all parts of Northland.

The course will continue until Saturday. The teachers were officially welcomed to Kaikohe this morning' by Mr Clive Cameron, chairman of the town board, and the town board members. " ’ ••• ■■ ■■■». ,

Sir Apirana Ngata, who is attending the proceedings, thanked Mr Cameron on behalf of the teachers.

Sir Apirana 'conducted a class in Maori arts and crafts this morning, and took “Weaving” as his subject. The course is being directed by Mr Ball, chief inspector of Native schools. When asked this morning whether he considered that the Maori language should be taught in the native schools, Sir Apirana Ngata expressed the opinion that the teaching of Maori should be confined to the native home, which it was. The natural language, English, should be concentrated on at the schools. This would result in. the children remaining bi-lingual and this was to be encouraged. A large number of the teachers attending are being billeted by the residents of Kaikohe, owing to the shortage of other accommodation. The Kaikohe cricket, tennis, bowling and swimming clubs have all made their / facilities available to the delegates.