EDUCATION. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 3043, 7 November 1871, Page 2

EDUCATION. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir—As the Bill recently before Parliament has been withdrawn, but is likely next session to be again presented, I suggest that it would be well in the interim to obtain a. healthy expression of public opinion relative to the " Aided School" clauses, as it is upon. these clauses mainly that those who haye1 taken interest in the matter join issue. As a warm supporter of the "Aided/School* clauses, I some weeks since attended a meeting held here, convened (ultra vires) by the School Committee, to ■ consider the Education Bill, and supported an amendment in favour of the "aided" clatises. The resolution (against the said clauses) was carried, the voting being; for the resolution, 49; for the amendment, 42; and believing that the meeting was then at ah end I; in company with about fifty others, left. I learned afterwards that other resolutions were subsequently moved, referring I believe, to the " taxation " clauses, and were of bourse carried nem.jpon, which they f w.ould not have been, had I, and those whoi think with, rae, been aware that they were to be proposed. The expression of opinion as made at the meeting I have referred to relative tot the "aided school" clauses must not be taken as the opinion of this district. The meeting waa announced by advertisement twice, without the hour being named, and I know that this largely influenced the attendance, and. when twitted, with it as a" dodge" the members of the School Committee were silent. All those who have from an impartial point of view studied the subject are satisfied that our vaunfced Otago Education system is anything .but what it is. represented to be. Ifr is known to be, in results, most imperfect, and if its votaries can prove the opposite; how is it that they do not produce results of a satisfactory nature.? I am sure (and I i submit this to the intelligent) that if a first class Inspector were appointed to visit, examine, and report on all our schools (masters included) a very large proportion of tie "teachers" (as they are cautly called), would., be condemned, and the schools would be pronounced the reverse of proficient. Considering the sum which education costs, its importance to us and to posterity, I Bnbmifc that the real and not the spurious article should be supplied. If we could but gefc people toseeand believe that manliness, knowledgeof the world, and gentlemanlike bearing | are attributes essential for a schoolmaster | to possess, we should, I think, very soon have a better class of " teachers." Courage and "style" are qnite as necessary for a boy as knowledge of arithmetic, or any other brancli of ordinary education, and I am satisfied tha£ without the possession of the former, the latter will never be rightly acquired. lam of opinion—and I ask the inhabitants of this Province to ponder the matter deeply, and without prejudice—that the establishment, of denominational schools will give the muchneeded impetus to education; Masters will, have emulation inspired in them. Clergymen will endeavour to perfect the working of their schools. The public will strive far more than at present to send the schools ahead* emulation being the key stone to success. __ As regards the number of schools which, it ia said, the system would bring into existence,; I have but little to say. In all large districts, doubtless, three schools would exist. First, the Church of Eome ; second, the Church of England ; and third, Noiiconfor- . mist schools, which would be made up doubtless of the various dissenting denominations, which are sufficiently united to pull together. This being so, I see no reason. why matters should not go on harmoniously j and I am satisfied that education would prosper better under such a system than under the one which at present maintains in. Otago—a system professedly non-sectarian, but yet thoroughly sectarian, Presbyterian in every sense, and puritanical to the laafc, degree. —I am, &c, « AXGLXCASf. Lawrence, 3rd Nov.

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