PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24627, 7 June 1941, Page 2

PRIMARY SCHOOLS

THEIR PARTICULAR FUNCTIONS ADDRESS BY MR T. A. MORLAND The opinion that an endeavour should be made to educate parents on the aims of the primary school was expressed by Mr T. A. Morland, a senior inspector, when giving an address to members of the New Education Fellowship at a meeting last night. He also expressed the opinion that the scnool curriculum was too crowded. Professor R. Lawson presided at the meeting, which was attended by representatives of almost all the educational interests in the city. . • Mr Morland said that the primary school system was now in a period of transition, and care must be taken to ensure that the children did not suffer from the changes. He referred to terms, which he said were much misused sion," "the child's interests," "character training,'* "education for leisure, life, leadership, etc.," and 'creating attitudes." The whole educational philosophy, he said, could not be based upon them; they were far too vague and needed clear definition. One question that had to be decided to-da'y was what primary school education was aiming at. Most educational institutions gave sport" too high a value. Was enough stress placed upon real educational, moral or spiritual worth, as opposed to wealth? he asked. These things had to be arranged in their true perspective in the curriculum. Activities outside the school had increased considerably, and there had been a wider diffusion of wealth and a greater desire for comfort. These trends had created a wide desire for the wrong kind of freedom, and it had been found that children now could not concentrate properly. The function of the school was to cope with these trends. Opinions differed on the function of the primary school. A chfld should be given an education in preparation for the work of the secondary school, if he intended to go .there, and not be left floundering, said Mr Morland. If he was preparing for early employment, he should be taught the general bases 'of ordinary subjects. The primary school should also endeavour to relate the curriculum to the child s natural endowment, and to educate parents in the aims of the school, not keep them in the dark.. The child should be taught to gain complete mastery of what he undertook, especially the "tool" subjects An effort should be made to see that he became imbued with the idea that nothing was gained without, effort. Children ought-to be taught patriotism in a way they understood, so that they would acquire a love ot country and ultimately create a happier citizenship. .■ ~ . . A lengthy discussion on the points raised by the speaker took place at the finish of the address.