CRAMMING

Southland Times, Issue 18929, 1 May 1923, Page 5

CRAMMING

EDUCATIONAL METHODS CRITICISED. SYSTEMATIC SELECTION ADVOCATED. Reference was made to the subject of too much education at the meeting of the South School householders last night. The chairman, Mr A. W. Jones, said that he was of opinion that too much money was being wasted on education. He would like to see all children kept another year in the primary school in a seventh standard. During that time the children should be kept under observation, and those who showed any capacity for a career selected and sent to a higher school. It was only drudgery to force a child to continue at school when the child’s mind was against the idea of learning. Thousands of pounds were wasted every year on certain children, who had not the capacity to assimilate learning which did not appeal to them. Those who showed an inclination for technical subjects, and others for arts, should be given special facilities. If money were going to be spent judiciously upon education the children should be carefully selected and turned to the paths to which they were adapted. Mrs J. Garrett said that many children were crammed with knowledge that was of no use to them in after life. Mr T, D. Lennie said that, in his opinion, better results would be obtained if secondary education were made optional. It was little use teaching a boy who was going to be an artisan, clerical subjects.