INTERCHANGING TEACHERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13750, 15 May 1908, Page 6

INTERCHANGING TEACHERS.

FAVOURABLY REGARDED. *| "START WITH THE INSPECTORS." ' The proposal regarding the interchanging j of teachers as between England and New Zealand & generally looked upon with j .great favour. ■ • , i The 'interchanging of teachers is a new idea, in & «n?e, though sonic years ago a Mr. Alfred Closely,. an Englishman mirth interested in the matter, at his own expense, sent a large number of" English , teachers, representing all branches and grades of the profession-, to America to study American methods. The eucce-'s of the experiment has since been proved beyond all doubt, and last year some 500 primary English teachers again crosecd the Atlantic and spent a couple of months in studying American methods, with great advantage to themselves. From the English teacher's point of view, two years' school life in New Zealand would be of undoubted benefit to him for several reasons. His sojourn in -the Dominion would give him an insight into colonial life, and the comparative absence of red tape in New Zealand methods would give him more scope for his originality. Then the cadet, system would be a splendid thing for the visiting teachers to see, there being no such system of teaching the young how to shoot in English schools. Speaking to a, Herald . rcpicscntativo yesterday, a prominent authority on educational matters stated that the spirit..of ! patriotism was much moro apparent here than at Home, and it would be an eyeopener for English teachers to pee for themselves how the love of the British flag is instilled into the minds of young New landers. As far as tho schools are concerned, the Englishmen would leant nothing at all. It is pointed out, for instance, that there is not- one of the Auckland public schools constructed on an up-to-date principle, with a. central hall, and the classrooms leading into it. Moreover, in school construction in Englaud, an eye is kept on future as well «s present requirements, and every attempt is made to avoid the patchwork policy adopted in New Zealand. "While English teachers would learn nothing in this respect, it is contended that the cadet movement, the freedom of action, and the teaching of better, bigger, healthier, and consequently brighter children would have a thoroughly beneficial effect on their methods and ideas. As to the exchange, as far as tho Dominion is concerned, the same authority says: "Wo should start with our inspectors, for they carry the greatest weight here, and all teachers depend for promotion on tho inspector's report, and are willing to do anything the inspectors suggest. I am sure the inspectors would return front England, with broader views regarding education. They would not then be inclined to devote eo much .time to spelling, and getting sums right, and they would be impressed with the necessity for giving more attention to the moral side. After the inspectors, I should say let some of the most promising assistants go- —not the headmasters, many of whom are pretty well steoretyped, 1 think many of them would bo willing to pay their passages Home. On their return cach one would be a centre for the distribution of whatever ideas he had picked up, and. after all, one only learns what ho is worth by discission and criticism.

"It is a scheme," continued this gentleman," that has the. hearty ..endorsement of anyone : who i knows anything ; about ' * it. And let it be remembered, the advantages are nearly all on the side of the colonial teacher. He would see into up-to-date British methods. The Englishman would come out here principally for the-fresh air and the freer life, for he will learn little in the way of system or equipment."