COMPULSION IN EDUCATION

Southland Times, Issue 24861, 29 September 1942, Page 6

COMPULSION IN EDUCATION

Sir,—As a teacher, I have had my share of examination passing and compulsory subjects, and would like an opportunity of debating some of “More French’s” arguments as set out in The Southland Times of September 24. “More French” assumes that because a student has difficulty in learning French he would have equal difficulty with other subjects. This is entirely false according to psychological studies, which show that, although nearly everyone has a capacity for. learning every subject, yet these capacities vary vastly in the individual. I readily admit the value of a study of Latin if one wishes thoroughly to explore the derivation and mechanics of the language. Yet why should anyone, school-boy or student, be forced to learn any set subject simply because it is a good disciplinary measure? Does one love discipline? Can one apply oneself to best advantage where a sense of frustration and injustice is felt? To insist on making certain subjects compulsory is to take up a position against which all thoughtful and liberal-minded educationists are struggling. Education is not the passing of examinations in one or more subjects, and yet we find the University of New Zealand, which should be proud to lead our educational progress to a wider cultural outlook, reluctant to release the student from cramping compulsion in the matter of what he shall study for an Arts degree. The extra-mural student is heavily handicapped, there being practically only the B.A. that may be thus studied. Even in this degree he is further limited by the necessity of procuring practical certificates. And yet “More French” deplores the fact that Latin and mathematics are no longer compulsory, and that our professional men and women will, in consequence be only half-educated. The one good point in the B.A. degree is that several subjects must be taken as a kind of background to the main one. That undoubtedly helps to widen cultural study, and were more of the cramping stipulations removed, there would be many, unable to attend a University College, who would be encouraged to gain recognition by means of a cultural degree. • J. HOWARD SCOTT, The School, Eastern Bush. September 25, ,1942.