JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18801, 2 March 1923, Page 6

JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS

ENCOURAGING RESULTS.

STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER.

(Peb United Association.) AUCKLAND, March 1. An experiment which is being made at the recently--established junior high school at, Kowhai street, in tho direction of beginning post-elementary education at the age of 12, is showing very encouraging results, although the school has been in operation for only four months. The great advantage of the new system, said the Minister after visitin- the school, was that the classification or grading of pupils was going on all the time, and it was already obvious in many cases just; what the lad’s trend or bias was. The instruction given at the school -would all form part of a well-bal-anced course, extending over three years, beginning at 12. It was very significant to learn that all pupils were riot going to be rushed to the grammar school. In another *’vo weeks the woodwork, cookery, science, and machine rooms would, be ready, in the shape of portable buildings. This did not mean, said Mr Parr, that an attempt was being made to produce only tradesmen, which was the last thing aimed at, the object being to cultivate the hand as well as the eye, and to give attention to tire all-important fact that the yoang men of this country should /be making and producing something, and adding to the national wealth, rather than developing a race of mere clerks and professionals. It was here that the trying-out system, introduced at the junior high school, was of benefit. A boy or girl who showed marked aptitude would be able to go forward without repression; while on the other hand the so-called duller pupils would get much more individual attention, and thus be developed along natural bias. The Minister said that instead of new buildings a readjustment of the present courses of education would be all that woidd be required. He, thought the junior high school courses of instruction might be incorporated in tho smaller towns with the existing secondary schools; while in the country centres it would be possible in the near future, by a sound system of consolidation of schools at some suitable centre, to bring country children of from 12 to 16 years of age together for a sound post-elementary course.