NEW ZEALAND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 879, 4 January 1889, Page 24

NEW ZEALAND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE.

■ The Council of the New Zealand Educational Institute began its sixth annual meeting at the Girls’ High School at 10 a.m. Wednesday. The President (Mr G. McMorran, headmaster of the Terrace School) occupied the chair, and the following delegates were present Auckland—Mesdames Francis and Harden, Messrs J. C. Adams and Aitken ; Wellington —Messrs C. Watson and J. Horne; Wairarapa—Mr E. Samuel ; Wanganui Mr E. Mossman ; Taranaki —Mr H. Dempsey ; Nelson—Messrs E. Cowles and H. Langfoid ; Marlborough—Mr J. H. Reynolds; North Canterbury—Rev T. Flavell and Mr E. Just ; Mid Canterbury—Messrs C. H. A. T. Opie, P. E. Grainger, and A. Cookson ; OtagoMessrs C. Chilton, M.A., B.Sc., C. R. Smith, C. Selby, and G. H. Smith ; Waikato—Mr J. M. Murray, and the Secretary (Mr H. Worthington), and Treasurer (Mr J. G. L. Scott). Apologies for the non-attendance of Messrs J. H. Harkness (Nelson), and J. P. Lucas (Marlborough) were received. The Waikato Association was affiliated to the Institute on the motion of the Secretary, seconded by the Rev T. Flavell. A letter was read from Mr D. H. Hastings, Secretary to the New Zealand Exhibition, suggesting that the Council should appoint three of its members to act as a Committee for the Educational Committee. It was decided to consider the communication at a later stage.

The President, after welcoming the visitors, and alluding with pleasure to the fact that two ladies were now members of the Council, said that as there was no great important educational question for them to discuss it would be desirable to consider the policy they should adopt for the purpose of raising the status of the teacher. The object of a teacher was not to prepare a boy to earn a living at an early age, or pass an examination with a very high percentage. It was expected of them, apart from other objects, that they would train the boy’s mental and moral capabilities, and develop intellectual faculties and foster the qualities necessary to make them good citizens. He thought that the same diploma should he required from all teachers. Elementary and secondary teachers should have the same training, for this would give great unity to the profession, and would keep out inefficient teachers. He urged a reform m the matter of preparing the teacher for his duties, pointing out that the teachers would be able to do the work much better than at present if greater liberties were allowed them. In the preparation of teachers, he strongly recommended that the subjects necessary for their professional equipment should be enlarged m the direction of making them acquainted

with the result of mental and moral I sciences. He thought that all the higher offices in the gift of the Education Departmenb and Boards should be open to teachers who were qualified, and who had had success in teaching. He urged that they should do their utmost to improve the status of the teacher, and to effect this the inducements should be greater and more inviting. One objection was that the syllabus was too rigid, and too often the teacher had methods dictated to him by the Inspector. Another defect was that at the end of fche year fche teacher had to stand or fall according to fche percentage of passes and failures, which it waa known could not give an adequate idea of the work done or the skill shown. Another point was that the teacher dared not adopt any method, however certain he was of its lasting and beneficial effects, unless it was certain to secure the “ tangible results ” desired by his parishioners. While urging that greater liberties should be given to the teacher he expressed a strong opinion that the man who faithfully carried on the present syllabus, and created a general impression of trustworthiness, was the most persuasive advocate. The President concluded his address amidst applause. O.i the motion of Mr Reynolds, seconded by the Rev T. Flavell, a hearty vote of thanks was awarded to the President for his able address. The mover suggested that he should get it printed. On the motion of Mr Chilton, seconded by Mr Granger, it was decided “That arrangements be made by the Executive to enable a deputation from this Council to wait upon the Minister of Education to communicate to him the general results of the work of the session. ” Mr Murray was appointed auditor. Mr Cowles gave notice that he would move —“That the resolution as to Dr Richardson’s Temperance Lesson Book, forwarded by the Auckland branch, be relegated to the branch institutions for their consideration.” [The resolution of the Auckland branch was as follows : “That, in the opinion of this Institute, Dr Richardson’s Temperance Lesson Book and the First Steps in Temperance contain an amount of controversial matter which renders them unfit for use in public schools, and this. Institute therefore urges upon the Minister of Education that they should be removed from the list of books authorised to be so used.”] Mr Granger gave notice that he would move __“ That the reasons drawn out by the Mid-Canterbury Board in favour of making drawing a class subject be adopted by the Council and forwarded to the Minister of Education.” Committees were appointed as follow : —Education Act Amendment Committee. —Rev T. Flavell and Messrs .J. Horne, E. Mossman, E. Cowles, C. Opie, C. R. Smith, and H. Dempsey (convener). Standards and Standards Regulations. Messrs Mossman, Chilton, Murray, Cowles, Just, Scott, Selby, Adams (convener), and Mrs Harden. Teachers’ Examination. Mrs Francis, Messrs Chilton, Granger, Langford, •Horne, G. H. Smith, J. M. Murray (convener), Watson, Cookson. Pupil Teacher’s Syllabus. Messrs Adams, Reid, Aitken, Watson, Cookson, Samuel, Lucas, Mrs Francis, Mr Scott (convener). Business Committee. Messrs Horne, Dempsey, Langford, Reynolds, Just, Granger, C. R. Smith, Reid, Worthington, Opie (convener). The Council adjourned at noon until 10 a.m. next day.