THE SCHOOL BOY’S FUTURE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18763, 17 January 1923, Page 2

THE SCHOOL BOY’S FUTURE

POST-PRIMARY EDUCATION URGED. The pood work carried out by the Young Men’s Christian Association among boys and young men has been recognised for many years past, and representatives of the association have been given the privilege of speaking to the various groups of boys who have passed the proficiency examination, and who have reached a critical stage in their lives. On leaving the primary schools, they have to decide what their future will bo—whether success, or failure is to result. The Y.M.C.A. leaders appeal to the boys to continue their education if such is at all possible. Even for the boys who wish to take up various trades, higher education is needed if they are to enjoy and appreciate the best things that life offers. The present system of technical education permits boys to learn the rudiments of their trades under the best circumstances. Another phase (hat is emphasised is the opportunity that awaits boys in every sphere of life—in business, in the professions, and in the trades. Every boy has ability along certain lines, and ho also has a liking for certain work. If these inclinations are deeply rooted tho boy will make no mistake in following them, but, in some cases, ho is led by the superficial aspect of a particular calling, and bo takes up a life-work which becomes distasteful to him after a few years, when it is too late to make a change. Failure to consider this matter at the right time is responsible for many of tho “misfits" of,life. ' Mr N. Cowie, secretary of tho Y.M.C.A. Boys’ Work Department, recently visited some of tho local schools and addressed the boys who had obtained their proficiency certificates.

Mr Cowie compiled the following table, which gives the destinations of tho pupils whom he addressed :■—

High School 154 Technical School (day) 93 Technical School (night) 79 Occupations (including 79 above) ... 126 Private Schools 2 Normal Secondary 6 Undecided 20 The above table shows that only about 50 have no intention of continuing their education. Two-third of those who purpose going to work will continue their studies at the 'Technical evening classes In connection with sport, the boys supplied particulars of games in which they wore interested. Two hundred and sixtytwo favour Rugby, 261 cricket, 122 swimming, 36 hockey, 77 lawii tennis, 82 Association football, six athletics and 15 rowing ior boating. Practically every boy questioned was interested in some hobby, and many in more than one, as the following figures demonstrate: —Philately, 138; coin-collecting, 11; woodwork, 80; keeping of pots, 64; gardening, 56; wireless, 55; elementary mechanics, 13; photography, 9; model building, 11; painting and drawing, seven. Others collect curios, birds’ eggs, etc.

Although the cards returned to Mr Cowie show that only 30 boys take an active interest in music, it is well-known that a considerably greater number than this are members of the various school fife and drum bands.

Those figures are very encouraging as they show that tho average boy is interested in some profitable pastime. The boy who has a practical interest in sport, and in some hobby will benefit considerably because of tho positive influences of these activities on character.