TEACHING BY MAIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18813, 13 September 1924, Page 12

TEACHING BY MAIL.

CORRESPONDENCE CLASSES. PUPILS IN BACKBLOCKS. EXTENSION OF SYSTEM URCED. f>T TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON. Friday. The correspondence classes instituted by the Education Department as a means of educating the children, in very remote districts were discussed during the debate on the Estimates in the House of Representatives to-day. • Mr. D. G. Sullivan (Avon) wondered whether it would not ba possible to extend the system to secondary education. He recognised the system as a useful instrument in tho educational life of the community and, if applied to secondary education, he felt that it would bo found that thore were thousands of children, who did not have the opportunity at present, who would be prepared to take advantage of the system. Swr George Hunter (Waipawa) also favoured the correspondence classes, which, he said, filled a very long-felt want in the direction of the education of children in the backblocks. He hoped that in tho coming year even further steps would be taken to encourage this system of education in rural districts. Tho view , expressed by Mr. E. A. Ransom (Pahiatua) was that while tho principle of such classes was sound in so far as it applied to tho very remote places, thore might be a tondoncy to force upon parouts the correspondence system in places where a school should really be provided. The Minister for Education, the Hon. C. J. Parr: No, that is not so.

In replying to the statements made, tho Minister said he was pleased to hear such favourable comment upon the system. There were now over 500 children being educated by this manner. It should be clearly understood that such a system was for the benefit of the children who were living in isolated places, such as lighthouses, or where they were a good way from civilisation. There was an alternative in the nature of a capitation of £15, but the correspondence class seemed to be the better method. Tho papers were forwarded and actually little Johnny or Mary in the backblocks were very carefully educated. There was a personal touch between the teacher and the pupil. Mr. Sullivan: What results are you really getting? Tho Minister: Most excellent results, and in many cases it has been found that the correspondence pupil has made much better progress than the child who has attended school.