RURAL SCHOLARSHIPS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 10, 22 December 1911, Page 4

RURAL SCHOLARSHIPS.

REPORT ADOPTED BY THE EDUCATION BOARD.

SOME MEMBERS’ VIEWS

Air Ballantyne, in submitting the report on rural scholarships at last meeting of the Education Board, said that the Senate would modify their matriculation syllabus so that these taking this course need not take a language which was at present compulsory. Otherwise a student 1 mowing this course would be debarred firm going up for his degree of Agv.culture. He thought, however, that this' might he overcome, as it vas intended to make these scholarships a stepping stone to the degree ; f Bachelor of Agriculture. Air Kennedy asked if it were not placing a big hurdle before the boys to take up so many subjects. Air Ballantyne pointed out that.at present some 40 schools in Taranaki had taken up the rural subjects. Air Alorton asked if it were not advisable that the rural course should include some language. His hoy at the Stratford High School was taking the rural course, and this did not indue either Euclid, algebra, or any foreign language. Mr Ballantyne said he would like to see some language added in case it was needed later, but he w r as afraid if overburdening the syllabus. Air Kennedy asked if the degree of Bachelor of Agriculture were not primarily intended for boys who were following a rural and not a professional career.

Rev. McArthur thought that it was very desirable that a boy should have the opportunity to matriculate, as that opened up so many avenues for his future career. They should make the scope as wide as possible. Mr Ballantyne said that the object of the course was to train boys to go on the land. He thought it would be hard if the country expended considerable money on the lads with this end in view and that the hoys later chose another career. The chairman pointed out that that was the difficulty that had occurred :o him. It appeared as if they were ;ong to force these young people to lo on the land instead of following a irofess'onal career. It seemed as if in attempt were beng made to prevent the lads from having a freedom if choice. They might be urging ;hem into a certain course when ,-oung and not giving them an opportunity of choosing something different when they were old enough to know nore. They heard a lot of talk about ’orcingi the', people on the land, but die re was a good: deal to say on the >ther h r. I •, 1 ■ ,

Mr. Kennedy said that in the past hey had been practically forcing the Kjy's to adopt a classical course. . Mr. -Ballantyne pointed out that iy adopting the report they .simply iffirmed the desirability of widening he scope of the Junior University Scholarship so as to include agriculnral subjects studied by those takng up the rural course at the high jcliools. The question of the inclu;ioii of a language in the rural course wild be dealt with later on. The report was then adopted.—‘News.”