AVERAGE CHILD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22777, 10 July 1937, Page 17

AVERAGE CHILD

BASIS OF SCHOOLING VIEWS OF DR. NORWOOD A REALISTIC EDUCATION On his first visit to New Zealand, Dr. Cyril Norwood, president of St. John's" .College, Oxford, and formerly headmaster of Harrow, is interesting himself particularly in the problem of post-primary education. Several of his lectures at the Christchurch and Duncdin sessions of the Now Education Fellowship conference will be devoted to the subject. "1 understand that y6u in # New Zealand have tried two or three things and arc not quite satisfied with the results," said Dr. Norwood, in an interview after his arrival by the Mariposa yesterday. "I hope to find out more about what has been done here and to speak about the experiments that have been made in Britain." The General Aim The problem was of tho very greatest importance, he continued, because it concerned nearly all schoolchildren except the small minority who were fitted for universities, professions and higher posts in industry and commerce. The aim was to provide, between the ages of 11 and 15, an education which would fit the child for citizenship and life generally, according to its aptitudes and the career it expected to follow. At present secondary education was in the grip of the university, and was conducted as if in preparation for university study, which very few of the pupils ever intended to undertake. It had little or no relation to tho life they led. Many educationists, himself among them," foresaw a post-primary education based on physical training to give the essential foundation of health and embodying handicrafts according to the pupil's bias. Enough mathematics and science for practical needs would be taught, with less attention to physics and chemistry than to biology, which was of great practical importance, especially in rural life, and through which a knowledge of sex could be given in a quite simple and natural way. No Foreign Languagas History and geography would be treated as knowledge about the world, and English as a means toward clear speaking and writing. Acting might rightly have a place in it. Literature would not bo a set subject. Foreign languages would be entirely omitted, as experience had shown that no useful progress could be made in them within four years. The brilliant child could be left to look after himself; he would find his own way. To-day education had to consider tho child of average ability, his needs and how to meet them. Dr. Norwood said he looked forward to learning something at first hand about education in New Zealand, and ho regretted very much that he could spend only three weeks here. Ho hoped to be able to meet some old Marlburians, and possibly there were old Harrovians in New Zealand.

UNIVERSITY LUNCHEON VISITORS ENTERTAINED VALUE OF CONFERENCE "The Government is about to embark on a new education policy and we feel that the advice and help of these eminent men and women of the New Education Fellowship will be invaluable not only to the Government, but also to the community," said Mr. H. J. D. Mahon, president of Auckland University College, at a luncheon which was tendered the visitors by the professorial board of the college yesterday. In addition to members of the staff, a number of prominent educationists were present. The chairman of the professorial board. Professor W. A. Sewell, expressed the hope that by what they were and by what they said, the yisitinc educationists would show that ideas were worth something. On the whole, ideas had fallen considerably into disrepute, but there were people of dignity and wisdom who still belioved that they ought to have prestige and that they should be a main concern and excitement in the world. Dr. Cyril Norwood, president of St. John's College. Oxford, said the visitors were united in their gratitude to the authorities in New Zealand for the reception they had received and the programme they were to They were, moreover, as one in their admiration for New Zealand. "We come among you as humble people' knowing that we have a great deal to learn," he added. "1 hope we may gain something from you in the form of your criticism." The problems of the Univerist.v of New Zealand, which he said were partly geographical and partly a heritage of the old provincial system, were discussed bv Professor T. A. Hunter, vice-chan-cellor of the university and the chairman of the national committee of the fellowship. . Professor A. B. Fitt, chairman or the Auckland committee of the felloAysliip, said that education had stood still in New Zealand and methods were probably DO years behind those employed in other countries.