EDUCATIONAL MATTERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13940, 27 June 1907, Page 4

EDUCATIONAL MATTERS.

SOME BURNING QUESTIONS DISCUSSED.

A mooting of thoso interested in education was hold yesterday under the auspices of the Dnncdin and Subm'ban School Committees' Association in Mr W. . Scott's Rooms, Crawford street. Tho objebfc of the gathering was to meet Dr R. N. Morris, M.A., LL.D., Inspector of Teachers under the Education Department of New South "Wales, with a ,viow of discussing yraious questions concerning education. Those present wore—Messrs ,1. .Tefferv, W. Davidson, L. Pope, C. Young, 0. ,T. Hodge, W. Eudev, W. C. Allnutt, J. H. Chapman, and A. Marshall (tentihers), Messrs G. C. Israel and W. Scott, (members of the Otago Education Board), Messrs J. H. Wilkinson, M. Froer, W. P. Steel, .T, B. Waters, and G. C. Baker (School Committees' Association). An apology was rccoived from Mr Moir, president of tho School Committees' Association, amd in his absence the chair was taken by Mr J. H. Wilkinson, vicopresident. The Chairman said that it bad been deemed advisable that thoy should take the opportunity of Dr Morris's presence in Dunedin to meet him and discuss matters of interest to all of them. Dr Morris, as they all knew, was a great authority on educational matters, and would doubtlces ho able to tell them much of interest •'both in .this colony and elsewhere. They wove always open to learn, and by so doing they were certain to advance tho interests of education hero. He proposed that any of the headmasters piesont who had anything to ask, should do so, and he was sure that Dr Morris would gladly answer. Dr'Morris, in a 'briof introductory speech, said he would gladly do all in his power to reply to anything they had to ask. Tho questions were divided into three headings: (a) Training of teachers. (b) Payment and promotion of teachers. (e) Technical education, etc. TRAINING OF TEACHERS. With a preamble to the effect that tho training of teachovs was a burning question, the first query was how ihey managed tho matter in Now South Wales. To this Dr Morris replied that at present they were in a state of flux. They still had the pupil teacher system, but tho prevailing idea at present was to get rid of it altogether.—(Applause.) There were obvious difficulties in tho way, and of courso tho abolition of the system, though much to be desired, could riot be brought about all at once. It would be gradual, but none tho less 6tire, he believed, on that account. They had special instruction for giving them praotioo in schools. There was the examination for the Training School, then the Normal School, where if a scholar proved himself exceptionally 'brilliant lie received a small emolument, not' nearly enough to live on certainly, but something. In reply to questions, Dr Morris went on to say that' excellent scholars were paid in the training schools. Naturally they could not keep themselves, but ho was firmly convinced that jui honourable profession liko teaching should rank villi the other professions. A boy could rot learn to be a-lawyer, for instance, for nothing, and he thought that if parents wished their son to enter on the profession of teaching they should put. their hands in their pockets ami pay for it till ho bcga.n to be able to pay his own way. Ho believed in a two years' course of wholly professional study. Teaehers in the inaking at tho end of tho first year might withdraw, if they wished, on obtaining a third-class certificate, and at the end of the second year with a second-class certificate. After that, they might, bo expected to win their spurs by actual good work in schools. A student was not. bound to matriculate in New South Wales, but personally be strongly approved of the matriculation system, and believed in the efficacy of a degree. Ultimately he hoped to see a chair of pedagogy firmly established in connection with the university. Provision had also beon mado to enter 20 outsiders at tho Training College at their own oharges. About H years would bo tho average age for admission to District Sohools, about 16 years old for the Normal College, and 18 for admission to tho Training Sohool, and therefore they would be about 20 years old when they had finished their course. When questioned concerning salaries, Dr Morris said: "I think we'll keep tho question of salary apart, ploase." In reply to Mr Davidson as to whether tho best scholars in Now South Wales were not helped on by tho Government, Dr Morris replied that thoro were scholarships for thoso who showed exceptional ability. If a student started in the Normal School, and was pro[rf,rly reported on thoy had to find him a place. Hece in Now Zealand he baliovod tho country did not put itself out to find them anything to do, Ho saw yesterday in a school a teacher who held a I?. A. degree, The audionoe: "Oh, that's quite common here." Dr Morris, continuing, said that would not bo tho caso in Now South Wales. A lady with a B.A. had certainly lxul her application thrown out, but that was becauso she had not been properly nominated.' As to general control in his State, tho Ohui'olies had begun it, and not made a success of it; the Government had had a try, and finally in 1880 it had been decided to place tho control in the hands of a Minister. Tho Roving Commissions report though it had not been adopted, had largely influenced tho curriculum of schools. No provision had been mado for tho training of secondary teachers. Tho idea was to get the teachere to specialise. PAYMENT OF TEACHEHS. Dr Morris said lie thought that tcaohers woro paid too little. That was an aftermath of tho dark ages, when it was considered infra dig for a gentleman to bo a scholar. A gentleman was too busy with his sword, horses, plumes, etc., to think of snob things. Then fotlowed the poor dorio; and tho tcacher of the la/it century was merely tho factotum of the parson. Ho believed that a teacher's position was an extremely . honourable one, and that thoy should l>e paid in proportion. Now South Wales was losintr scores of good men through not doing it. Voices: So is this country. As to promotion, said Dr Morris, teachers were promoted if places could bo found for them. They had the classes of schools and the unclassified, and tho consequent complication would ho altered under tho new system. Promotion should go by rank and by emolumont, and bo by length of service and quality of work. If from two men equal in ability one had to be chosen, promotion then should go by seniority alone. In New South Wales tho Minister decided everything, and there wa6 no appeal. A Voice: Aro they nover influenced by members of Parliament? Dr Morriij: Oh, you mustn't ask ne that. Supposing thoy wired what I 6aid over there. Continuing, Dr Morris said he belioved in the principle of carrying of children to school, but lie had no personal knowledge of tho subject. Mr Davidson: Supposing a man in a fifth class school is at a salary of, 6ay, £200, and the average attendance drop's to 90, is his salary decreased? —In general terms, ves; but tho Government usually finds his forte and a billet to suit it. Questioned eoneerninj* school furniture, Dr Morris asked if it was worth whilo making a fuss about a mechanical trifle liko that. ,' TECHNICAL EDUCATION. I Regarding technical education, Dr Morris ' said that in tho primary schools New

Zealand was doing moro than Now South Wales, but was far behind in highex schools and colleges. His State has largo departments in all branches. They did not teach French and latin, as £55,000 had been elipned off their funds. Ho noticed that in New Zealand tho young classes were "shaping" to bo orators. Tho girls bcati tho boys, because ho halioved the former were more musical. Manual training was a splendid thing. As for the trades, in Now South Wales if thoro was room anyone could enter, but if not tho entraoco was limited to those at tho trade. At toclmical schools boys and girls woro being taught to do things tho best way, and to aim at perfection for perfection's sake. Tho Chairman tendered tho deepest thanks of all present to Dr Morris for'tho valuable information ho had so pleasantly: imparted.