HOME SCIENCE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11247, 27 June 1922, Page 11

HOME SCIENCE

REPORT TO TECHNICAL BOARD. BY DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE. Reporting to the Technical College Board of Governors last night in regard to instruction in home science, Mr -T. H. Howell (director) stated:— “This matter has been brought before the public os a result of a resolution passed by the Secondary Schools’ Conference protesting against the inclusion of home science as a compulsory subject ia tho curriculum for girls. Unfortunately, the leal question has been 'obscured by an attack made, not upon the compulsion exercised, but upon the inclusion of science in a course for girls. There seems to be a recrudescence of the idea that if a girl fa taught to bpy and cook and sew, it is sufficient. All who are concerned with the education of girls would agree as to the fundamental importance of the homo arts, that is to say, of a knowledge of, -end efficiency to, all practices necessary for making the home beautiful and healthy, and whatever the sphere in which a girl may be desired ,to move, that instruction in these should form a part of her education. But this ia not all that is necessary. To-day woman as well as tnan is called upon to undertake the duties and exercise the functions of a citizen; and, in order that she may perform these wisely, she must receive some form of training that will tcaoh her to reason and to search into the causes of things.

“Now, the place of science in education is precisely to provide such opportunity ; and, though there may be cases where such training should be given only in small measure, or, it, n:-.ny be, not at all, such casee should be regarded as exceptional, or, at least, abnormal. Education, especially technical education, has suffered n good deal in latter years from tho compulsory regulation of curricula by tho department, and there ate few teacher? who would not venture to say that, in general science, training is not desirable for girls. “It matte ro very little what you label school science in its earlier stages, whether home science, or physical science, ■or general elementary science, or hygiene; the content should be similar for both hovs and girls, the bias in the case of the former being in the direction of physics ahd chemistry, and in the case of the latter it) thcdirection of investigating those principles which underlie the processes adonted in the home arts. “Those who have tested the work of our schools in the University examinations agree that in some, at any rate, a oound and valuable scientific training is being received under tho muchabused syllabus in home science, and that rapid improvement is being made. Let us be grateful for this; for, while it is true that the skilled hoUsowifc i« a treasure, the housewife who iaxilso learned in the caures and reasons for things is a greater treasure still. She can adapt her methods and her product® to meet the varying needs of her household, in sickness and ih health; while for herself, engaged ih the common rbttnd and daily task, science, and not art only, gives “ To harrows, trayn, and pans, Grace and glimmer of romance.”