INSTRUCTION BY LETTER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18454, 16 January 1922, Page 8

INSTRUCTION BY LETTER

DEVELOPMENT IN VICTORIA, Developments in the instruction of teachers and scholars by correspondence have been introduced by the Victorian Education Department, and good results are reported. An' extension of the work is proposed next year (states the Melbourne Argus). Country teachers, who are beyond the reach of large centres where instruction for tho higher certificates can be obtained, are coached, by correspondence from the Melbourne High School, where a special staff oL teachers has been detailed for this work. 4 More than 600 rural teachers are receiving tuition for second and first-class certificates, and for the intermediate and the leaving certificate examinations. Through the Teachers’ College tuition by correspondence is given to a number of women teachers who are desirous of obtaining the infant teacher's certificate. These teachers spend one week in each year at tho Teachers’ College, where facilities are provided for the practical requirements <xE the examination.

Children in remote localities, and those confined to their hojnes by physical infirmity, are taught through a system of correspondence up to the standard of the highest class in elementary schools. The children work according to a .prescribed time-table, and the parents give what supervision they can. Budgets of work are .sent out to the pupils. They send their work when completed to Melbourne, where it ■is corrected, commented on, and returned. The number in the correspondence school is 210. Reports on the work done indicate that the teachers and tho parents are well satisfied with the progress made. Several pupils who have been taught through tho post have passed the qualifying or the merit certificate examinaibn. Early in February there will be inaugurated a system for carrying on by correspondence the education of pupils living beyond reach of a high/ school who have obtained the merit certificate. . The cours# of instruction will extend up to the standard of the intermediate certificate. The tuition will be di»cted frqm the Melbourne High School. Only pupils in continuous attendance at an elementary school, and beyond reach of' a high or a higher elementary school will be enrolled. Some 200 for enrolment have already been received.