BACKWARD CHILDREN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16288, 22 January 1915, Page 6

BACKWARD CHILDREN

ACTION BY AUCKLAND EDUCATION BOARD. (Pee United Press Association.v AUCKLAND, January 21. A new 'departure is about to l>e made by the Auckland Education Board in the direction of giving cpcciul attention to backward children. The matter was brought before the bourd by the chief insnector (Mr E. K. Mulgan), who drew attention to various matters m connection with the Training College regulations recently issued. Mr Mulgan stated that the regulation provided lot' a model school, consisting of a class of backward children of school age, with not more than 40 children on the roll. '1 his he regarded as a very essential addition to permanent ot model schools, as in many schools there were backward children who require;] special attention. He referred not so much to pupils who owed their want of progress to faulty teaching or lack of opportunity, but rather to those whoec general intelligence arid aptitude for acquiring knowledge, though not sufficiently defective to warrant their enrolment in the special schools already provided, was distinctly- below those of the normal child. Such children were a source ot much anxiety to teachers and a fruitful cause of weakness in school progress. To treat them as normal children was fair neither to themselves nor to the school community, and yet in most, cases they were so treated, for teachers had, heretofore, received little or no special training in dealing with this type of child. The presence in the Normal School of such a class would be a valuable addition to the maehinerv already in operation, and he recommended its inclusion amongst the of model school required by the regulation. Mr Mulgan recommended that details of the matter be gradually completed, so that everything may by in readiness to begin work early next year. To this end it should bo possible to procure a suitable room in the vicinity of the Normal School, and arrange for its proper equipment The salary offered for tho work began at £230 per a-nnum, and roso by annual increments, of £10 to £250. If the board viewed the suggestion favourably be would endeavour whilst in England to secure the services of some one suitably and adequately trained for the position in tho Old Country. The salary named should attract a desirable teacher.

Mr Mulgan was authorised to appoint a suitable teacher. The report was then adopted.