THE TEACHER'S INFLUENCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24085, 2 October 1941, Page 6

THE TEACHER'S INFLUENCE

Sir, —Under the heading "The Right Direction" in Friday's Herald you draw attention to Sir Cyril NcwaU's words "that what Hitler has done in Germany we can do in New Zealand with our children, but in tlie right direction." Also suggestions for action were made by Mr. 10. F. Hemingway, chairman of the Wanganui Education Board, who stated that 3000 children each year before the Children's Court was too great. The home has the child for from five to seven years, the schools, primary and secondary, from five to 18 years, then the university, factories, shops, work in general absorb them. But the character foundation has been laid and largely built upon. Who is the main character builder? 1 say the teacher. Why ? I faced, I expect most parents have —"Miss X says so." The point I wish to make is the influence ol the teacher, and lie has every right to be proud of it. Do we expect hi.ni to exert a character building influence on his pupils, as well as Jn teach the three R's? No one will tfenv this. Can in-1 struction be given without example? J

Isn't it just fie re the shoe pinches:-' The golf hag. cricket hat. lawn tennis on Sunday, hiking parties, working clothes in the garden all day are common practices. Germany developed her youth along these lines, and the endings are harsh. "Thou shalt not steal" is surely impressed on the child by the teacher. Why not "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy"? Both are in the same book, and I maintain it is not a religious matter only, but also a matter of psychology and science. That something is wrong those 3000 children before the Children's Court prove. We have something to get back to. Teachers, both primary and secondary, can you see this work before your' Can vou 'take it up? Can it be done through the agency of that splendid power (if rightly used), the influence of the teacher applied to the full meaning ot those words for the "highest and best." Janet Archibald.