Elementary Education at Home.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2954, 28 November 1900, Page 3

Elementary Education at Home.

Lord Reay, chairman of the London School Board, in Ins annual statement delivered a few weeks ogo, said that the educational display at the Paris Exhibition was a revelation of the relative progress made by different nations in all the higher elements of civilisation, and a confirmation also of the formidable rivalry which England had to encounter in all departments. Those who visited the educational section would have been able to judge of the severity of the competition, the exhibition giving evidence of a marked advance in all countries, and of a general activity which ought to stimulate increased effort on their part to make their educational systtem more, thorough and better .adapted to the varied requirements of all classes of the community. His Lordship criticised as retrogade steps some recent legislation dealing with the elementary schools, and then dealing at some length with the question of higher elementary schools and the treatment which they received, the chairman asked whether there could be any doubt that these schools should receive State aid on a liberal scale. They woe the natural outcome of primary education in its elementary stiigcs. They weie intended for (he same classes for which the elementary schools were opened. They were not intended for those scholars who ought to attend secondary schools, and whose elementary education would Ire differentiated from that which was provided for those who could only attend elementary schools, supplemented by special or technical education in evening schools when they were at work. The higher elementary school had the same right to State aid as the science school, the science and art classes, and the technical schools. There was no reason to limit the supply of such schools. The only limit was (he number of scholars fit to benefit by tbe instruction and prepared to go through the whole course in view of their future employment. These schools should not waste time on scholars who could afford to attend secondary schools, o rwhose attainments made it doubtful whether they would he able to obtain a leaving certificate. They would give a. sound training in general and selected subjects. Both employers and employed would share the interest of the capital invested

hi these schools. They were not a luxury vvhidi should he granted grudgingly, but an urgent necessity. It was the missing link in their educational system. The want of these schools handicapped them in the competition with nations which had bestowed much care on their development. Lord Reay pointed out that the policy of restricting educational effort which seemed to find favour with the Board of Education was in contrast to that of the Scotch Education Department It was, in fact, unique. All over Europe, in their colonic-, in the Indian Empire, in Japan, Governments were taking steps to create increased opportunities for education. Education had its Little Englanders—absorbed in petty squabbles between Board and Voluntary schools—contemplating with equalling'y this display of foreign energy. They they thought that our trade and our inconcerned about higher grade schools, and they thought that ur trade and our industries would maintain their former supremacy without adding to the brain-power of the nation. History appealed to them in vain. The French, after their disasters in 1870, at once set to work to improve their education, and had achieved marvellous progress. The German Empire had developed into a huge business concern, in which the whole administration was conducted on business principles, and with a view to maritime, commercial, and industrial progress on the most practical lines. Let them take time by the forelock. For Imperial defence the Board of Education was as important as the Admiralty and the War Office. Education was a great Imperial interest. Sooner or later this would be recognised, and lie believed the country was much more alive to the necessity for additional educational effort than the Board of Education seemed to realise.