BACKWARD SCHOOL CHILDREN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23558, 22 July 1938, Page 6

BACKWARD SCHOOL CHILDREN

SEPARATE CLASSES WANTED; ■' ' V;'< VALUABLE WORK BEING DONE What was being done at the present time for the advantage of the backward school child was related to delegates at the annual meeting last night of the School Committees’ Association of Otago by the secretary (Mr R. S. Vercoe). The Otago Education Board had gone into the question fully, he said, and had taken the matter up with the Education. Department, which had approved of the establishment of an Occupational Trading Centre for backward school children By this method the children could be graded into different classes. The George Street School Committee, of which he was a member, wanted the association to approve of this system being adhered to.

It was thought that the time was , opportune now that the Otago Education Board had the approval of the Education Department in the new scheme to bring the schools under one heading, he continued. The children could be put in separate classes under the supervision of a director. Ninety-nine per cent of backward school children had no academic ability, although they had a certain amount of “ brains.” which could be _ directed in certain directions. With such a system it was thought that better work could be done and that the children could be moulded inlo better citizens. The work that had been done already was extremely valuable and reflected great credit on the teachers. By individual tuition, children between the ages of six and fifteen could be trained for particular occupations. There was small chance that they would make academic students, but they could be taught useful trades. There would be a much smaller number of delinquents brought before the Children's Court if this scheme were brought into operation, he said If the association were to ask the Education Department to amend the regulations so that pupils could be transferred from the main school to special classes, he thought that it would be a further step in assisting the backward child. Captain Jones, of Mosgiel said that the backward child was gradually catching up with the other school children The present system could be altered to advantage, however, and the pupils could be taught to make or mend something. Without further, discussion, it was decided to ask the Education Department to amend the regulations as outlined by Mr Vercoe.