EDUCATION METHODS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3519, 23 August 1921, Page 23

EDUCATION METHODS.

CRITICISED BV HEAD MASTERS. CHRISTCHURCH, Augu.-t 21. Responding at the Employers’ Association gathering to the toast of science and education, the Rev. E. C. Crosse, head master of Christ’s College, said that in this country there is a risk of over-centralisation and over-inspection. These cut at the root of real education. Teachers muet lie given a free hand. You cannot expect them always to work to schedule. It is most unwise to cripple a teacher's personality, which is one of the most important forces in education. Mr G. Lancaster, head master of the Boys’ High School, endorsed Air Crosse’s remarks. “I have just had a visit from the inspectors,” he said, “and I speak feelingly. When you have worked out and put down that a boy has done 2.28 units of history, 4.75 units of science, and all that sort of thing, you feel that with all thin detail and red-tape stuff, the actual being of the school is in danger. The work of the school is measured riot by heads and statistics, but by personality. Mr Lancaster also mentioned tlie Government’s tightening of the grip on the revenues of secondary schools. The Boys’ High School had enjoyed for many" years revenues from endowments provided by the Canterbury pioneers. The Government denied that it was organising any movement to pool educational reserves, at the same time it was adjusting capitation and grants in ■ licit a wav n«* to prodt’-e the -ame effects.