COURSES FOR TEACHERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20244, 2 May 1929, Page 17

COURSES FOR TEACHERS.

VALUE OF TRAINING WORK. REPORT ON FORMER STUDENTS. In order that the Education Department might be able to judge the extent ■to which young teachers had benefited by a course at a training college, tho senior inspectors were asked to present reports to the director of education on the work of ex-students who had completed the first year of Leaching. These reports were coordinated into one, and a copy of the comprehensive report was forwarded to the Auckland Education Board at its meeting vesterday.

"It is the opinion of the inspectors that the students are keen on their work, arc impressed with the importance of their profession, and arc eager to do their best for their pupils both in and out of school," states the report. "In general they are well fitted to take up the kind of work they are called upon to do, especially as assistants in the lower parts of the schools."

Among the criticisms of students' work mentioned in the report is the fact that many are not well equipped to take sole charge of schools, as before appointment to such sole-charge positions many have no experience, and consequently find the organisation and instruction of a group of classes a very difficult matter.

Some inspectors considered that when students left, the training colleges they had rather a hazy idea concerning the quality of work to be expected from pupils, and many accepted work which was not the best that the pupils could do. They did not require tho pupils to write well at all times, nor to set out certain work in a neat, methodical way. In other subjects, lessons were often given in an interesting manner, but the essential points were not adequately impressed.