PRIMARY EDUCATION

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10822, 11 February 1921, Page 2

PRIMARY EDUCATION

PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS SUGGESTED PC) ST-PRIMARY COURSES. CHANGES ADVOCATED. The special committee appointed by the Inspectors’ Conferenuce to consider the proposal to terminate the primary school course when pupils have reached the age of 12 approximately, and to | provide post-primary courses of a suitable character, reported yesterday as follows: “(1) That the primary school course he brought to an end when pupils have reached a standard of education corresponding approximately to the present standard V. “(2) That the primary course to the above stage he modified, to permit pupils reaching that standard in general about the age of 12. “(3) That pupils who, on reaching the age of 14, have not succeeded in completing their primary course he removed to post-primary institutions pf a suitable character, 1 ‘(H That post-primary courses of instruction be provided by means of: (a) Secondary senools providing more or less academic courses of study for pupils suitable for such courses; (b) high schools where secondary courses of a more general character shall be provided, leading to (1) the academic course of the secondary schools, (2) a rural or agricultural course, (3) a. commercial course, and f-1) a domestic course. Such courses should not be considered watertight compartments; but provision should be made whereby a pupil who finds himself taking a course unsuited to him shall be permitted to transfer to another course; and (c) that special classes be established in these high schools for the backward pupils referred to in (3) above. “(5) That the selection of pupils for the different types of post-primary schools be made by the inspector and head teaoher in consultation with the parent. That in selecting pupils the inspector rely more on the head teacher’s knowledge of the pupils’ aptitudes and general progress than, on the results of any "one qualifying examination. THE COUNTRY PROBLEM. “(6) That to meet the needs of pupils in country districts there be established in suitable centres high schools or secondary departments to which should he attached hostels for the accommodaton of pupils coming from a distance. The committee considers that an extension of the present district high school system best meets the needs of country pupils. “The committee found: it impossible in the time at n.s disposal to draw up detailed suggestions tor the modification of the present primary syllabus up to standard V. It is, however, recommended that no science, experimental science, elementary agriculture, dairy science, woodwork, cookery or advanced needlework be required in the primary course of instruction; such . subjects being provided, for in the postprimary courses. Suitable courses in handwork and nature study (including gardening) would be continued as as present, in the primary schools. “The committee is aware that the changes recommended above can be brought about only very gradually, and is of opinion that a beginning should be made next year—(l) in those centres of population where the primary schools are considerably over-crowded, and' where the provision of additional accommodation is a matter of urgency; (2) in existing district high school centres; and (3) in efEcie’htly-oonducted country schools where a standard VII can-be set up without unduly increasing the work of the head teacher. “The committee desires to lay emphasis on the doctrine that no secondary course of instruction should be closed to any hoy or girl fitted to benefit by it. . “At the same time the committee is of opinion that the utmost care should be taken to direct the pupil into the course of study most profitable for him to undertake, and to this end recommends that careful records be kept of the mental and physical development of the pupil throughout his primary course. The committee is opposed to the institution at the end-of the primary course of a single qualifying or high school entrance examination, and recommends reliance on the evidence of fitness provided partly by intelligence tests, class examinations, and the teacher’s general estimate of the pupil’s ability.” Mr T: B. Strong (convener of the committee) briefly moved -the adoption of the report., In the course of the discussion. Dr Anderson (Director of Education) stated that the department recognised that some other methods than the pre- : sent scholarship examinations should ibe adopted for the selection of the holders of scholarships. (Applause.) Probably some such method as that suggested in clause ’ (5) of the report would be adopted; but an opportunity might be given to children not so selected to qualify for a scholarship by examination, as at present. Mr Stuckey (Wanganui) and Mr W. . S. Latrobe said that provision should ’ be blade in the scheme for a postprimary industrial conrae. It was, ; urged Mr Latrobe, very necessary ‘ that in the industries of the country there should be -a greater proportion of men recruited from the more intelligent children. Great manual skill could only be acquired by those who began young. Mr Cousins (principal of the Auckland Training College) urged, as a member of the committee, that it was a mistake to begin to specialise instruction at so early an age as twelve. ' Each of the courses should be such as to afford a sufficiently broad foundation for whatever avocation the pupil j might follow in after life. Dr Anderson said that hs thought 1 that that- might be taken to be the intention of the committee. It was only . a tentative report. 5 Mr Cousins: That was what I wished to’ make clear. Mr Strong pointed out that the pri- ; mary courses were spoken of in the report as “leading to” the more specialised courses. The report was adopted, the com- > mittee agreeing to the addition of an industrial course as . suggested by 1 Messrs Stuckey and Latrobe.