SECONDARY TEACHERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22319, 17 January 1936, Page 12

SECONDARY TEACHERS

NEED FOR TRAINING anomaly indicated The need for training secondary school teachers in the technique of their work in the same way as primary school teachers are trained was pointed out by the chancellor of the New Zealand University, the Hon. J. A. Hanan, M.L.C., in his address to the University Sens.te yesterday. The mere fact of having studied and passed in a number of subjects did not make a man or woman a competent teacher of these subjects, said Mr. Hanan. No matter how much the syllabus, administration, school buildings, playgrounds and equipment were improved.,. an education system could succeed only to the extent that possessed an adequate supply of teacheis of the highest type, well equipped by education and training. "It cannot be denied," ho continued, "that some, teaohers come into high schools without technical training in teaching. - The task of introducing pupils for the first time to new linos of thought calls for thoroughly trained and efficient teachers, especially in tho lower forms or grades of secondary schools. Whatever may bo put up with in tho way of inefficient craftsmanship, we ought to recognise and insist on the right of our young people to be taught by properly trained teachers. "It should be obvious that if a long course of training be demanded for primary school work, an equally thorough preparation for their responsible duties should be given to our secondary school teachers, in justice to themselves and their pupils. In Victoria, secondary training has been done under the University of Melbourne for about 25 years, and from inquiries I have made the system, which is compulsory, works well."