Education System Need Not Be Recast

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 688, 13 June 1929, Page 9

Education System Need Not Be Recast

DIRECTORS VIEWS PROGRESS. NOT SCRAPPING Press A ssocia tion WELLINGTON, Toda> “It is all nonsense to say that our education system is so bad that it should be completely recast,” said Mr. T. B. Strong. Director of Education, speaking at the third meeting of the Council of Education. “Our education system is a sound one, but it certainly could be improved, and it was being improved.” Progress, he said, was being made in the consolidation of small school." The department was carrying out its policy of reducing the size of classes by the appointment of additional assistants and by remodelling school" where the rooms were at present not suited for the splitting up of classes He did not hope for any rapid improvement unless more money was available. The most effective way to reduce the size of classes would be to provide ample accommodation by removing Standards V. and VI. to a central school. That would also help to absorb the unemployed teachers There should be no unemployed teachers after this year. The work of establishing classes for the education of the mentally deficieut but educable children had pro gressed, there being now 26 classes with two supervisors. The department also intended to bring the special schools for the deaf and for recalcitrant and mentally deficient children more directly under the control of the inspectors. Mr. Strong favoured increasing technical instruction and agricultural classes, and favoured the “plot” system.