PHYSICAL EDUCATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21101, 8 February 1932, Page 11

PHYSICAL EDUCATION.

NEW SYSTEM IN SCHOOLS.

DRILL METHODS SUPERSEDED. THE CORRECTION OF DEFECTS. The new system of physical education in schools, which owes its origin lo Mi. J. Renfrew "White, of Dunedin, will officially come into operation throughout New Zealand next Monday. It is a, perfection of the scheme which came under the notice of teachers about two years ago and which aroused some opposition. At that time complaints wore made by parents on account of the children having to lie on the ground for some of the exercises. Tho system was not made, compulsory and eoiiic schools which adopted it voluntarily, later discarded it. Meanwhile Mr. "White conducted a special courso of instruction for all school physical instructors, and special drill students from the Training Colleges have had a year's course of study in Dunedin. Those familiar with the new system arc enthusiastic in its praise. "Physical drill, as it was formerly understood, has died a natural death," said an instructor yesterday. "The new system is a vast improvement on tho old and it seeks to co-relate all mailers affecting the physical education of the child." Tho system breaks away completely from Swedish drill, and it is stated to bo based on Die importance of medical advice in applying corrective measures lo tho defects of childhood. It is believed that tho correction of habitually bad postures will eliminate defects such as curvature of the spine, Hat chest and Hat feet. Tho importance of swimming and life-saving is stressed and folk and country dances for children are advocated. Although many older teachers arc nul familiar with tho new system, all students now leaving the Training Colleges have a good grounding in the exercises. l'or the past two years, the new method has been taught in the Auckland Training College. The notification of the adoption of tho system, contained in tho February issue of the Education Gazette, has met with a mixed reception from Auckland teachers. "The whole position is extremely unsatisfactory," said tho headmaster of a large city school. "On short notice wo are told that w.e are obliged to procure copies of a certain book and to put the scheme into operation. It will probably be very difficult to teach the new exercises from a text-bijok and I cannot see whv the department did not allow teachers to become familiar with them through refresher courses." Teachers' objections were aired at a meeting of the Auckland Headmasters' Association on Friday evening. "We think it is wrong in principle for the work of a private, individual to be accepted in such a way by the department," said a teacher. "It is stated that considerable instruction is needed by those teaching the system, and we think the department, should have delayed bringing the scheme into operation until its nuances would allow of suitable refresher courses."