THE RURAL COURSE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8588, 26 November 1913, Page 5

THE RURAL COURSE

SUGGESTIONS FROM LEVIN CONFERENCE HELD WITH THE INSPECTORS. Last month tho Education Board received from th© Levin School Committee a series of resolutions in regard to th© rural curriculum in the District High School in that town. These were to the effect that the agricultural instruction was too meagre and general to be of any practical value; that it led to no definite end and was not linked up with the agricultural colleges and experimental farms; that the curriculum was crowded with too many subjects for full and effective instruction in any of them; that no distinction was made between tho sexes and the different types of scholar, and that no provision was made for specialising in view of a calling; and that the door to the univerisity was closed Tinless extra coaching was obtained and paid for outside the school hours. The committee suggested that the system be amended in order better to suit the needs of ©very typo of scholar, and with tho practical ideal of fitting the children for a vocation in life. INSPECTORS’ REPORT.

Reporting on the subject to the board yesterday, the inspectors stated that, acting on instructions from the board, they met the committee in conference on the 4th inst. Among other matters, tho inspectors pointed out that it was practically impossible in a school staffed as a District High School to carry out satisfactorily programmes designed to meet the needs of ©very typo of scholar, and that it would he a difficult matter with only two teachers to prepare scholars for the university, for all the public' examinations and for rural life at one and the same time, unless the pupils consented to take extra work in such subjects as mathematics and languages out of school hours. The inspectors, however, suggested some possible modifications of the present programme which should in a measure meet the objections of the committee. With the committee’s contention that the agricultural instruction was not linked up with agricultural colleges, the inspectors were in entire agreement, as a reference to their annual reports would show. SOME RECOAIMENDATIONS.

The present programme (the report continued) was designed to meet the requirements of th© rural course and to prepare scholars for the intermediate or civil service junior examination. The general work in this department ranged from satisfactory to good. The inspectors went on to report on the nature of the work in other subjects of the curriculum. In connection with the science of the rural course, th© laboratory work was commended. The elementary agriculture was practically under the management of Air Roeckel, who was doing most capable work. With regard to the outside work, however, the inspectors recommended that the present area under cultivation be reduced. Tho report was adopted.