EDUCATIONAL REFORM

Southland Times, Issue 25705, 14 July 1943, Page 6

EDUCATIONAL REFORM

r Sir,—l venture to say. that it does not matter so much what subjects are taught, as how they are taught and by what type of person. Thus, first in importance are the teachers, their character, scholarship and keenness. Only the best men and women in our country should be in charge of childe ren, and these must be offered (to catch them all), not merely a living wage, but ” enough money to enable them to buy books, to study, to travel. They should be able to mix with people of all classes without counting the cost to the last n shilling as is the case on present . salaries. And then, they should be given the best possible equipment and surroundings for their pupils. There are j misfits. There are lazy people interested in neither the child nor the subject. 7 There are many who, once having passed a low grade (and sometimes even a high grade) examination, study no more and who read little or mere light stuff. 7, There are women, conscientious beyond their strength, who should be given a sabbatical year—that is, a year’s leave of absence on full pay for rest and recuperation, and further study of s their own brand of teaching. I have known schools from the inside as well as from the outside and have the , (warmest admiration for many members ’■ of this great profession, the many whose ’’ main idea is one of unselfish service * to secure the greatest good for each ' child. So I say again: let us get the best for our schools and consequently for our nation and the world. The Minister of Education has asked for suggestions ; to improve our schools, so that now is 3 the time for all who feel keenly the > importance of education to state their 3 views, constructive ones especially. 3 Perhaps with your help, Mr Editor, and in your columns, Southland can conj tribute some ideas (as it has contributl ed money to the loan) which will help towards the building of the brave new world we all so earnestly hope for. This f new world will be built by the educa- [ tion of all classes and ages along right . lines, and only by education, so that . we can work and think with charitabler ness, tolerance, unselfishness and . breadth of vision. t PARENT.