EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12464, 7 January 1904, Page 5

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE.

YESTERDAY'S PROCEEDINGS. [BT TELEGRAPH.— ASSOCIATION.] Nelson*, Wednesday. Tub Educational Institute election of officers resulted: —Mr. J. Jeffery, of Dunedin, president; Mr. A. Erskine, of Wellington, secretary ; 2»ir. T. Hughes, of Christchurch, treasurer. The vacancies in the executive were filled by the election of Mr. J. K. Law, for the North Island; Mr. G. McMoran, for Wellington ; Mr. Wm. Davidson, for South Island. Messrs. C. Watson, R. Stewart, and T. W. Grundy resigned their seats, thus causing three extraordinary vacancies. The report, of the executive t as amended in committee, was adopted. Mr. Taylor moved, " That this institute records its satisfaction at the proposed establishment of training, colleges for teachers in the four centres." Mr. Holmes moved as an amendment, "That, in the opinion of this institute, one training college for teachers is quite sufficient." The amendment was lost by 25 to 19, and the motion was adopted. On the motion of Mr. J. Valentino, it was resolved, "That the institute is of opinion that, the practice of employing pupil-teachers in public schools should bo discarded for a better way, so that young men and women who desired to become teachers may be v-dl grounded in literary work before entering upon their training in the art of teaching." On the motion of Mr. Aitken, it was resolved, " That so long as the pupil-teacher system remains in force the Government wih be requested to make the pupil-teaeners' system of examination a colonial one." Mr. G. Espiner moved, "That the Government be asked to increase the salaries of pupil-teachers.' This was lost by 31 to 21 votes. In the evening Mr. G. A. Johnson brought up a report of the committee appointed to consider the new syllabus, and moved, "That this institute approves of the general lines of the new syllabus, seeing that it is in conformity with the ideas of modem educationists, and warmly approves the new syllabus, considering its general intention excellent, though much was required ; on methods of examination some exception could be taken to details, but credit was due to those who drew it .up." Mr. F. Gibbs seconded. A qualifying amendment was rejected, and the motion was carried. Mr. Johnson moved clause 2 of the report, "That the institute is of the opinion that the syllabus will prove burdensome to teachers or otherwise, according to the interpretation by inspectors and according to the methods of examination, end it respectfully recommends that a very definite code be drawn up for the guidance of inspectors and ex aminers." The clause was carried by an overwhelming majority. The third clause, which strongly objected to any dictation being given to the teachers as to the methods of instruction, was carried almost, unanimously. The institute then adjourned.