EDUCATIVE NEEDS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18581, 15 December 1934, Page 8

EDUCATIVE NEEDS

CATERING FOR YOUTH CULTURAL, TRAINING ••CONCEPTIONS ARE ('HANGING” The necessity for entering for tin: cultural development of youthful minds, and the broadening of old conceptions as to what may ho regarded ns cultural, formed the subject of an interesting reference by Mr. .). Hutton, rector of the Gisborne High School, in a review of the past year’s activities presented at. the. breaking-up ceremony on Thursday evening. Mr. Hutton’s remarks were as under:—

“As time goes on our conceptions of what is meant hv the term ‘cultural’ tend to broaden. Once only the classics were deemed cultural, mathematics was grudgingly admitted to the curriculum, then modern languages and the sciences substantiated their claim. Music, art, and the handicrafts have now secured recognition.

“Further, it is becoming clear that what is really cultural for one is not cultural for all. so that differentiation according to the aptitudes of pupils is indicated. Nevertheless, all schools must provide, a grounding in basic work in the mother tongue, a knowledge of the world such as is essential to the future citizen, together with opportunities for him to learn to appreciate, music and art, and to lay the foundations for a wise use of leisure time, bv forming abiding interests.

BASIC NEEDS “Whatever the course that a pupil takes it is supremely important that, he shall form good habits, that lie shall develop character, and that he shall acquire a capacity to work. .“This school hopes to make the fullest provision for every typo of pupil, but it wishes to emphasise also the importance of these basic needs. Whether a course of training is to be described as vocational or cultural is largely a matter of emphasis. A school is most certainly not a inert' resting [dace for the boy or girl who has left a primary school and is desirious of a position tit the earliest possible date. Such should return to the primary school. .1 have unfortunately quite often encountered parents who really act upon the view that a secondary school is such a resting place. “A secondary school is a. place whore a pupil comes for training in the broadest sense. He should not leave for the sake of any position offered until he has had the benefit of the training that he is entitled to. If Ik lias harl the maximum possible for him we shall let his parents know. It is encouraging, therefore, to hear the other type of parent who says ‘Two rears at High School is hardly enough,’ or ‘ Even if my boy is destined to he a navvy I want, him to have a good secondary schooling for his own sake.’ That is the right attitude.

PROVIDING FOR ALL TYPES “This school intends to provide as fully as in the past for the pupil who intends to take a long course leading to . the university or whose specialisation is to come later as in the case of a. hoy who subsequently proceeds to an agricultural college. I have said this before and 1 desire to emphasise it. At the same time we shall develop so as to provide for all types, and to co-ordinate our school with the life of this community. This development will he slow, but it must steadily be directed to definite objects, and must be continuous in character. “For those who remain at school sufficiently long to complete any course the school certificate examination now provides a definite objective and the general standard together with the fact that a prospective employer can decide for himself whether the subjects which have been taken at school provide the best t raining for his requirements, should produce confidence jo the 'mercantile community. “'There is one thing that I would strongly urge upon parents. If your l,ov or girl has completed a course and does not immediately find employment, do not .allow him to be idle. Rapid deterioration is inevitable in such cases. All positions do not fall vacant in December. Carry on until March Anri! or June and maintain efficiency. Moreover, we are in better contact with a boy who has so returned and can often place him.”