CINEMA IN SCHOOLS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 3, 25 March 1927, Page 3

CINEMA IN SCHOOLS

CRITICISMS REFUTED A USEFUL SUPPLEMENT Cinema In Schools Recent criticisms which have been levelled against the cinema were answered in vigorous terms by Sir Sidney Uow, speaking recently at the Stoll Picture Theatre, Kingsway, on the occasion of the presentation of some of the latest productions of British Instructional Films, Ltd. The exhibition had been specially arranged with a view to demonstrating the possibilities of the film as an aid to education, and among those in attendance were many of the delegates to the conference of educational associations, together with numerous representatives of local education authorities in London and the Home Counties. “The time is past,” said Sir Sidney, “when one need make any apology for the use of the film for instructional purposes. Although this aid to teaching is still in the experimental stage, it has so far vindicated itself in the eyes of educationists that the great majority of them are most anxious to further its development. A Great Instrument “There are some who still regard the motion picture with suspicion, and I read only a few days ago that a schoolmaster, who was acting as chairman of a very important conference, went so far as to describe the cinema as an entertainment devised by ignorant tradesmen for the benefit of the silliest section of the populace. I do not think that gentleman can have followed modern developments of cinema activities, or he would not give utterance to such a general condemnation.

“There has been, I grant, a great deal of vulgarity and foolishness about many screen plays prepared for public exhibition, but they should not be made a basis for general criticism. In my view, we ought to make every possible effort to use this gr€*at instrument which has been placed in our hands for higher, better, and more useful ends. As an aid to the work of the school teacher it has immense possibilities.”

Sir Sidney said that he did not agree with those people who thought that the use of cinematograph machine in schools would conduce to a certain amount of mental indolence and inertia on the part of the pupils. Advocates of the film did not propose that it should be made a substitute for the written word, but rather that it should be used to supplement book study. Lagging Behind

Referring to the attitude of British educational authorities, Sir Sidney said they had in the past shown a certain unwillingness to regard the educational film with seriousness. He did not think this frame of mind was typical of the teachers, however, and he hoped that before long the central administrative bodies and the local committees would see their way to give the financial assistance which was necessary to provide all schools with cinema equipment.

“We are lagging behind other countries in this matter,” he concluded.

“and we are thereby running the risk that in a few years’ time we shall have to import the bulk of our educational pictures from abroad.”