N.Z. EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE

Otago Witness, Issue 2913, 12 January 1910, Page 38

N.Z. EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE

ANNUAL MEETING

WELLINGTON, January 4

The annual meeting of the New Zealand Educational Institute opened to-day, Mr G. W. C. Maedonald, of Macandrew road, Dunedin, presiding. The Mayor welcomed the delegates on behalf of the city, and emphasised that education must go'forward in the path of progress. They would have to pay the best salaries to the best men and women to do the best work that could be doae in the community. Mr Robert Lee, chairman of the Wellington Education Board,- also welcomed the delegates. In his address, the president said national education was the only safeguard and real-- asset that a democracy possessed. Our first consideration should be the production of a good animal. Sandow and others had shown what could be accomplished by physical development. Although they did not desire to develop Sandows,' yet, on a humbler scale, they might be guided by their practical experience. The country had a right to expect that the money spent on education would be recouped in the after-life of the citizen. A man with physical and mental strength, or either, without moral stamina was a positive danger to the community. There bad tc be a harmonious development of the physical, mental, and moral sides of a child's nature. In the primary schools there was little real physical training. What was required was regular and careful training of all the muscles of the body. At least half an hour per day shouid be devoted to physical exercises. The use of dumb-bells, clubs, wands, and rifles should be practised in the open. Again, swimming should be taught wherever possible. Systematic training shouid ensure far greater capability for the work of after-life. Every teacher present knew of the deplorable state of the teeth of school children. It was impossible for nearly 40 per cent, of the children to masticate their food properly. That, he declared, was a" source of national weakness that must sooner or later be dealt with, or it would lead to physical degeneration. Inspection by dentists had been talked of. Treatment, however, was better than inspection. "It is generally considered," lie continued, " that the evil of child labour is confined solely to country districts, but this idea is erroneous. Many children in. towns get up at 3.30 a.m. and go round serving milk or delivering papers, pass live hours in school, and then in the evening continue work similar to that performed in the morning. Some of these children work 10 and 10g hours per day. Yet we consider eight hours .sufficient labour for an adult." He did not propose to deal with that real and conspicuous menace to the community of the British lace —the empty cradle, —nor •with the equally apparent menace—the one-chick family,—but he wished to draw attention to the many disadvantages pupils suffered from through injudicious parents. Some parents, teachers knew, were utterly unfitted to train their children. The old home .life, with all its hallowed associations, was fast becoming a thing of the past. The wealthy had their children trained in boarding schools, where discipline was enforced. At one time the education of all the children of a community was considered quite Utopian. Would it be regarded ts equally visionary to suggest thai the time might come when it would pay the country in its own interests to gather all its Fifth and Sixth Standard pupils in boarding schools? Examinations had crept into everything connected with school life to such an extent that to many minds the word "examination" had become synonymous with " education." They were all familiar with the national nuisance, the music examination. The Sunday school and the Navy League followed w'ith their tests. Public competitions demanded their quota. The school examinations, scholarships, civil service, and matriculation succeeded in due course. Finally, even the highest educational corporation—the. New Zealand University—was purely an examining body, " with its soul resident in Erlrope 1" The usefulness of inspectors was spoiled by the demands of examinations. Inspectors became mere setters of questions, correctors of papers, and writers of reports. Large-salaries were paid to highlyeducated and well-tiained men to do work the bulk fc.f which might have been equally as well done by many pupil teachers. The inspectors' methods "were, however, going through a process of evolution which tended to bring them into closer sympathy with the teacher and the children. There was every prospect of the inspector becoming the teacher's friend and fellow worker. Private school teachers should have to conform to the same conditions as State school teachers. and all private schools should bo subject to Government inspection. The high schools of the Dominion were far from satisfactory. ' Too many of them were merely feeders to the University. The main part of the wealth of the Dominion -«as derived from farming, and high schools were doing little to stimulate a study of agriculture and stock-raising. It could ml pay a country to neglect training ?n such industries, which produced the bulk of its wealth. Something more practical than pamphlets was required. Secondary teachers were supplied to district high schools to train A few

pupils for the civil service and matriculation examinations. Secondary teachers should be experts in mixed farming, and every district high school should be a training and experimental farm centre for the district, in which it was situated. "In New Zealand," said the president, "we have trained mining experts whose services are in demand in every part of the world. Why, with far greater facilities, should we not be able to give equally efficient training to farming experts? Attach to each district high school a small farm, to be conducted on a practical and scientific basis. I venture to predict that in a, few years our farming experts would be as well known and as eagerly sought after as our mining experts now are, with the additional advantage that our young farmer* could be absorbed in the Dominion without having to go abroad to seek employment." On the question of mental and moral training, the president said the main things weVe to train children to read intelligently speak and write easily, and use figures quickly and accurately. Singing would be taught as a relief from work. The imagination should be developed, and a love of the beautiful. One of ' the greatest 'defects ' of present mental training was the too little use of the children's strongest faculty, memory, and a tendency to force the reasoning faculties, which in early years were immature. In all educational work the ideals presented should be the highest and the best, yet they had practically debarred from their primary schools the book which inculcated the highest and purest type of morality, which administered the oath, the main foundation of the purity of courts of justice, and which supplied the language that permeated the whole of English literature. The fate of France after the Revolution proved that nothing but disaster awaited a nation without a. belief. "If we wish the children," said Mr Macdonald, "to have more iron in the blood of their principles we must present before them the highest, purest, and best moral examples. In this new country, far re moved from the larger centres of population, and untrammelled by the traditions and absurd class distinctions of other lands, we have a splendid opportunity to work out our own destiny on lines that should make for the national uplifting and national greatness." Mr J. H. Harkness was elected chairman of committee, Mr O. D. Flamank assistant secretary, and Mr H. G. Cousins auditor. Financial proposals suggested by the executive were considered. It was agreed that next year a registered accountant should audit the institute's accounts, and that the limit of the legal assistance fund shall be £IOOO, and that any surplus over that amount, together with any sums voted by the annual meeting of the institute from the ordinary fund of the institute, shall be constituted a benevolent fund, to be administered by the executive.

The annual report of the executive, which was considered in committee and accepted, recommended the establishment of a benevolent fund. The membership of the institute stood at 2254—an increase of 137 during the year. For some time it had been the practice of the Marlborough Education Board to appoint its teachers on a yearly tenure, it was felt by the institute that such action deprived teachers so appointed of the rights and privileges conferred on them by Part VIII of "The Education Act, 1908." The passing of " The Declaratory Judgments Act, 1908," made a way open for the settlement of the validity of the Marlborough Board's action in a civic and non-litigious manner. The institute's legal advisers were therefore instructed to move in the matter, and they did so, with the 1-esulfi that his Honor Mr Justice Chapman has held that the action of the Marlborough Education Board was invalid. The executive understood that the board in question discontinued appointing its teachers on a yearly tenure after the preliminary staps for obtaining the declaratory judgment had been taken. On only two occasions had it been necessary during the year to provide legal assistance for members of the institute. Referring to legislation passed last session affecting teachers, the report stated that the executive kept in view as far as .possible the passing of that portion of the Defence Act which now controls the School Cadet Corps. The clauses relative to junior cadets were passed as originally printed. Since the act was merely a skeleton one, and would depend largely for its successful working on regulations gazetted under it, the issue of these would be looked for with considerable interest. Regulations suggested by the executive for the administration of the benevolent fund were adopted. The fund is to consist of the surplus from the legal assistance fund over and above the sum of £IOOO and of any sum or sums that may be voted from the ordinary fund by the annual meeting of the institute. Beneficiaries must have been members of the institute at least five years prior to making their applications, and the fund shall be administered bv the executive and invested by the Public Trustee. Mr Gibbs (Nelson) moved that all future annual meetings of the institute be held in Wellington.

After a brief discussion, during which the advantages of educating the public opinion of different districts by means of the perambulating conferences were pointed out, the remit was lost on the voices.

The conference adjourned until to morrow morning.

i Details of_ the conference of educa- | tional authorities arranged by the Educa- ! tion Department to be held in Wellington on February 10,. 11, and 12, were contained J in a letter read to the meeting. The j confei'ence will consist of representative j teachers and other persons of standing j professionally employed, and will be expected to devote itself, from different i points of view, to such broad questions as have a direct bearing on the co-ordina-I tion of the several parts of the educa-

tion system of New Zealand. The conference will be constituted of one representative each of the four professorial boards of the four university colleges, and the director of Canterbury Agricultural College, the principals of the four training colleges, six representatives of secondary schools, four representatives of technical schools, eight representatives of public schools (including district high schools) elected by the New Zealand Institute, a representative inspector from each education district, and five inspectors of the Education Department, inclusive of the In-spector-general of Schools, who will act as chairman of the conference. The business was outlined as follows :—Thursday, February 10. Morning—The work of the primary schools; afternoon—the relation of primary schools to secondary and technical schools. Friday, February 11. Morning—The work of secondary schools and technical schools; afternoon—the relation of secondary and technical schools to one another and to the university/ colleges. Saturday, February 12. Morning—The work of l/be university and university college*,, and of I4i« training university colleges, and of the training colleges ill relation thereto. The institute wn.s recommended to lake steps to nominate members as follow : (a.) Din trict high schools, two representatives (one North Island and one South Island representative); (t>) primary schools a« distinct from district schools- larger schools exceeding 200 in average attendance, two representatives (one North Island and one South Island), arid smaller schools not exceeding W)0 in average attendance, two representatives (one North Island and one South Island): (c) infant, mistresses, two representative* (one North Island and one South Island). The genera] conference is to be followed immediately by the periodical conference for the special discussion of training college matters, and by tho triennial conference of inspectors of schools.

SECOND DAY.

WELLINGTON, January 5.

The syllabus of primary education in New Zealand came under the consideration of the Eductional Institute this morning. Mr J. H. Harkness, B.A. (Westport) occupied the chair in the place of the president (Mr G. W. C. Macdonald), who is at present indisposed. The remits dealing with the syllabus came very largely from Auckj land, and it fell to Mr N. R. M'Kenzie, one of the Auckland representatives, to put the case in general before the meeting. He said the Auckland teachers in the institute had given long consideration to the whole question of the syllabus. They felt that the syllabus was too indefinite, and gave too much power to the inspectors, who 'Were apt, he thought, to bully some of the younger teachers in the smaller schools, which represented 90 per cent, of the Auckland schools. The larger schools were more independent of the inspectors, but the smaller schools came in for a lot of bullying. Mr J. A. Valentine (South Canterbury) deprecated the allegaton that the inspectors were guilty of bullying. Desultory discussion then followed on the question of how to deal with the revisal of the syllabus whether by small or large committees, or by the whole meeting. It was finally decided to leave the matter to a committee to draw up a report on the whole syllabus for presentation to the meeting to-night. Mr L. Watson (North Canterbury) moved that any extension of the prescribed duration of the school day beyond a limit of five hours is inexpedient. The mover pointed out that the syllabus had something to do with the question. If a teacher took on a too large programme he would find the time rather short. Towards the end of the day the children inevitably became tired and weary, therefore it was inexpedient to prolong the school hours in Continental schools. Mr Hogben had noticed that with the lengthening of the hours of the school day the work became mechanical. One way of easing the burden of work might be in the direction of the metric system. A Voice : And reformed spelling.— (Laughter.) Mr Owen (North Canterbury) seconded the motion, urging that the excessive examinations had much to do with the trouble. There were too many scholarsships and other examinations. Perhaps it might be advisable to have a longer spell in the middle of the day. Five hours' work was ample for the children of New Zealand, who were inclined to grow up into a thin and lanky race. In the North Canterbury schools they had tried medical inspection for the. sake of comparisons. They had found the New Zealand children much taller than the children in the Old Country or in America, but not so heavy. Five hours was quite enough.—(" Hear, hear.") Mr M'Morran (Wellington) deprecated the frequent interruptions in school work, especially in large towns. He had endeavoured to find out .what the interruptions amounted to. Carpentry and cooking were responsible for six hours interruptions. Then there were merely casual interruptions—shooting for Cadets, battalion parades, and other things, such as warships visiting the port, teams going off to the country to play cricket, and football. All these things might be desirable .enough, but still they constituted a serious interruption _ in the ordinary school work. These interruptions made havoc in the work, which was heavier than in the past. The motion was carried unanimously. Mr W. H. Newton (Auckland) moved —" That the inspectors should be placed under the control of the Education Department with respect to the interpretation of the regulations and of the syllabus."- He described the proposal as an old one, having been before the institute for the last 20 years. It had to be earned down year after year.

Mr 0. D. Flamank (Otago) said the

control only affected the interpretation o$ the regulations and syllabus. Other speakers pointed out that unless the inspectors were thoroughly -under; the control of the department the proposal would he useless. The young an<s inexperienced teacher was at the mercji of the inspector as to the interpretation: of the syllabus. The institutes weret strong enough to deal with the matter* without urging the placing of the inspectors under the Education Department* One speaker thought it should be leiil to the boards to decide. "Why?" followed another. " There are boards and boards, and I am quite certain that outiof the 13 boards there are at least half the members of which do not understand two lines of the syllabus. :> Hegave instances of the actions of inspectors. The centralisation of the inspectorate, he added, was most desirable.—(Applause.) The motion was carried by a largemajority. Mr It. L. M'llroy (Taranaki) moved—- " That the inspectors of schools should be placed under the control of the Education Department." Mr James Aitken (Wanganui) characterised the election of Education Boards an the weakest thing in local government in New Zealaiid. Once selected they were absolutely above control. Mr Henderson referred to the old days of inspectors. They were no longer now t,h<; cxirnma riders of the army, standing by and looking on, hut drill sergeants, working among the teachers and giving them every assistance. If the inspectors. were centralised, then the control of the teachers should he centralised also.

Mr De Berry (Grey) pleaded for the small districts, which he said were becoming hedged round with impassable barriera. Teachers in those districts wore side-tracked from the main traffic of promotion. Inspectors in one district were absolutely ignorant of the work of teachers in other districts. The remit was of vital importance as a step towards a universal promotion scheme for the Dominion.-—(Applause.) The motion was carried by a Jarge majority.

Mr J. Menzies (South Canterbury) moved that the Minister for Education bs _ respectfully requestsd to introduce legislation that shall make it compulsory, for pupils attending the primary schools of the Dominion to attend every time the school is open, the usual exemptions being allowed. The jrover referred tothe growing practice of only attending eight half-days in the week. There had been a serious falling off in attendance for the Dominion. Full attendance ,vas necessary to secure proper results. The motion was carried unanimously., The conference carried motions tnat inspectors should be under the control of the Education Department; that the age of exemption be" 15 (not 14); and that the standard of exemption be the Sixth Standard. THIRD DAT. WELLINGTONS January 6. The New Zealand Educational Institute continued its annual meeting to-day. The balance sheet, which was adopted l , showed receipts totalling £1502, including £1052 balance to credit of the .liegal defence fund, an increase for the year of £B2 7s 4£d. Of this amount £52 4s 4d would go to the new benevolent fund.

Mr E. 0. Just (North Canterbury} was unanimously elected president of the institute for the ensuing year. The retiring President (Mr MacD-onald) congratulated the institute upon selecting one who had done so much useful work for education.

Mr William Poster (Wellington) was reelected- secretary, and Mr T. Hughes (Christchurch) was reappointed treasurer. The executive non-official members, are as follow, those elected at the present conference being placed first-: —North Island:] Messrs W. H. Newton (Thames) and GL W. Murray (Auckland) ; Wellington district—Messrs W. Erskine and J. Caughley.South Island : Mr W. Davidson (Bunedin) and Mr J. H. Harkness (Westport). The President referred! with regret tothe retirement from the executive of Mr G. W. Moray (Auckland) 1 , who was leaving the profession, and Mr George M'Morran (Wellington). ■ In accordance with the Government's; invitation, the following were elected tor represent public schools at the general conference on education, to be held- under, the auspices of the Education Department;in February : —Repreeentinsr district hight schools —Messrs H. G. Cousins, M.A 1 , (Auckland), and J. H. Harkness, B.A. (Westport) : primary schools under 200' scholars —Messrs R. B. Holmes (Hawke's Bay) and L. F. De Berry (Grey) ; infant! departments—Miss Craig (Wellington) and? Miss H. Birss (Southland). The following resolutions were passed That the salaries provided for assistantsin secondary departments of district high! schools are not in proportion to those in other blanches of school work, and ought to be substantially increased ** ;• •'That in the case of transfer of teacher** when such transfer is brought about by: falling attendance or other adverse circumstances, the removal expenses be paid by;the Educational Department' 1 '; "That? history should be placed in group I o£ the subjects for the examination for cla-ffs; certificates " ; "That in the interests of education, co-relation between the several departments of education in the Dominion!. is urgently needed " ; " That in view off the great benefits accruing to education', through the issue of Saturday concession tickets to teachers, the Minister be respectfully asked to continue the present) concessions to attend classes"; ""That! the Education Department be asked to» formulate regulations as to sick leave granted to teachers, taking into considera.tion length o-i -service while -drafting these'/ and also to allow for the granting of leayo of absence on full pay aiter certain periods of service, as is the. case in some of th& Australian States"; "That this institute urges upon the Education Department that; the officers of the Health Department should regularly and systematicailly inspect

itie schools and the school children of New Zealand"; "That this institute expressed dissatisfaction with the number of returns required from teachers, and is of opinion that the number should be reduced and the form simplified " ; " That teachers' residences should be fitted with modern conveniences." WELLINGTON, January 7. At the Educational Institute Conference "a long discussion took place on a motion the effect of which was to place men and women teachers on the same basis. The motion was ultimately carried. It was decided that the next annual meeting shall take place at Hokitika.