THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Southland Times, Issue 3393, 6 May 1879, Page 3

THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL

-'Editor Times,— Say lam very much, disappointed with the? ability of the GranimarSchobl^to; impart ■ a really good: sub-v stahtial Education to boys. Take a ; dozen l^^airthiiffeeh years? of age, and: p.lace them;beside an- equal; number of boys Of the same age from, any British 'school," occupying a relative position, and I aih cer I»in- that the British boy will altogether: disfance ■his' New Zealand cousin in; the in-? ?;f grinatidh andkno wledge generally derived from schools." J.l am under the ; impression that if you take a boy promiscuously from; the fLfthand sixth class in the Grammar School, and ask him to read a page from any 5 reputable author you would be jyei-y .much disappointed ; ask, him to sit down and draw : a: map?; of the colony;: ;and the wretched 1 spectacle ? that he? will exhibit drive you away. ? disgusted?;; 4sk him tKe- most"' elementary jquestion in' Tybcal 'niusicy?and- a vacant .stare wil be his reply.- iAnd ye tthe course of public induction laid -down 7by lawj? includes reading, drawihg-and singing. ;;Theonly redeeming featiirean the ? school appears to be in its arithmetic and .writing... Grammar seems to ;be. learned almost mechanically, for the boy dbes hot appear to clearly understand tKe. principle which makes aj word at times a; ; hpun at another, .tinie ', an .^adjective. Thb ? _Mori«nate position ior Invercargill is thWf^that there is no. High School for Doysjtand only a f ew people^ciin TafEordto sferid 5 7their!.spns; away to TDunedih; Ghrikt-; churc^OTl^Nelsbn ib complete the edupatiph;^hatsought; to be ■ available fiin'jin importaht 'centre such as Inveicargiil now is;?- The 7 remedy? for alL^thisT lies in 'the establishment of a Boys' High'Sdhpbl, vvhh a iprmcipai^ and masters fof,. ability, and sufficient energy to^ihducej;them7to endeavor to; place -the school in the front rank of educational- -seminaries: -The -Southland Boyslah|i Girls' High School Act'&pp^rently provide'Sif or this bemg done, .and it.-is time the Boa^ of ..Govemprs rgally undertook this responsibility.-T 7 l;am, - &c., "-■--: ?. v -y-..p:-A -a ? Education.