FAULTS IN EDUCATION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21561, 4 August 1933, Page 11

FAULTS IN EDUCATION

VIEWS OF HEADMASTER PREMATURE SPECIALISATION [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON. Thursday Criticism of the New Zealand system of education was made by the Rev. H. K. Archdall, headmaster of King's College, at a largely-attended meeting of tho Hamilton Luncheon Club to-day.

Mr. Archdall said his idea of education was to teach the growing boy the reason for his being alive, and to teach him how to think. Education should be employed to develop human nature. The speaker disagreed, with the view that the object of education was to fit the boy for a job. Too many mediocre minds were created by those who supported this view, he said. Premature specialisation was a matter to be regretted, said Mr. Archdall. Ninety per cent of those students who obtained travelling scholarships did not return to New Zealand. Very occasionally were such men taken into tlio public service.'lt was absurd that administrative posts could not be found for soundly-educated youths. A sound general education should teach boys activity of thought, receptivity to ideas, and capacity to speak and write correctly in more than one language. Mr. Archdall said a crueltj# was hc;n:| done to the youth of tho country by trying to fit them into a job, by failing to educate thorn so that they might enjoy their leisure, and by neglecting to pay duo regard to the spiritual aspect of human nature and to tho great traditions of life. "Our civilisation is top-heavy and ill-, balanced," said Mr. Archdall in conclusion, "and until we get some spiritual purpose behind our education a great deal of what we are doing will be ambiguous."