NEW ZEALAND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1834, 14 January 1887, Page 16

NEW ZEALAND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE.

Chbistchukch, January 8.

The sitting of the Educational Institute was continued to-day. The following are the principal resolutions adopted : —

" That all class subjects, except drawing, be examined orally by the inspector and teacher, and that children excepted for pass subjects should be excepted for all subjects."

" That this council is of opinion that the value of teaching in class subjects cannot correctly be represented by percentages, but that inspectors should express in general terms their estimate of the efficiency of the teaching."

" That, with the exception of arithmetic, the failure in one subject be not sufficient to justify failure for the standard, provided that the pupil is efficient in the remaining" subjects." " That the percentage of passes and failures should not be reckoned on the number on school rolls, but on those in standards I to VI (included)." " That inspectors of schools should be placed under the direct control of the Education department." " That the number of pupil teachers in any school should not exceed the number of certificated teachers employed therein. That pupil teachers should undergo six months' probation before being indentured. That candidates should not be less than 15 years old. That regulations re engagement and syllabus for examination of pnpil teachers be uniform throughout the colony." " That however desirable the issue of textbooks in which colonial matters shall be prominent may be, it is premature to make any recommendation on the subject at present."

"That the proposal to establish a teachers' pension scheme under the control of the Government is impracticable. That the council suggests the advisability of establishing a voluntary benevolent fund, to be administered by the council for the benefit of teachers."

" That a chair of education ehonld be established in connection with the University of New Zealand."

Chhistchtcthch, January 7.

The Council of tho Educational Institute concluded its session to-day. The report of the committee on the school standard syllabus was referred to the braaohes of tb6 iosttbdte* end

will be brought forward next year. The report as amended l>y the council is as follow :— ' That the number- f compulsory subjects included in the syllabus is excessive. That compulsory subjects for individual examination, and individual passes be restricted to reading (including explauaiio. ), spelling and dictation, writing, arithmetic and composition, lhat class subjects be divided iuto two groups, compulsory and optional. (a) Compulsory t Grammar, geography, drawing. (b) Optional! History, English literature. Kxtra: Drawing, eleme tary physics, bofcsny, physiology, chemiatry, elementary and agricultural mineralogy, or other authorised subjects. (O Thmt oho scientific subject shall be selected from optional subjects. (d) That additional subjects remain as at present. That in schools with only one oe tirtcaied teacher, any two successive standards may be examined together in reading, writing, composition, grammar, geography, and in optioual subjects, or subject* chosen. It was decided to hold next arm"*! meeting at Nelson in January 1888. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year. President : The President of the Nelson District Institute for 1887; secretary, H. Worthington (Auckland) ; treasurer, J. G. L, Scott (Christchurcb).