TEACHING BY POST

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 693, 19 June 1929, Page 10

TEACHING BY POST

EXPERIMENTAL STAGE WELL PASSED ISOLATED FAMILIES Great increases have taken place in the use of the service given by the correspondence school course conducted by the Department of i Education for children in isolated districts. Interesting figures were shown to the Auckland Education Board today in a departmental circular. The school was opened in February, 1922, to provide instruction for 20 to 40 pupils—the children of shepherds, lighthouse-keepers, and isolated families. lftaring the first two months there were 200 enrolments, and the numbers have increased today to about TOO primary and 100 secondary pupils. The scheme, once regarded as experimental, is now a permanent branch of the educational system. Applications tor instruction go either to the Director ot Education or to secretaries of education boards. The senior inspector of the district concerned reports on the applications. As a rule, children within five miles of a public school are not enrolled. The education is free and there is no charge for postage. Iu addition, reading and library books are circulated without cost to the pupils. The only : costs are for class-books and stationery. The staff engaged now is a head | teacher, 13 assistant teachers and five I office assistants. CAREFUL GRADING Full teaching is given in subjects and regular control governs the work. Standard instruction is provided. The work is carefully graded and explanations of faults are sent to the pupils. Records are kept of work corrections I and teachers' comments. In July, there is a half-yearly progress report and the annual examination is in November. The Standard VI. proficiency examination is in December. In 1924, i the successes in proficiency and competency were 9 and two respectively: in 1925. 17 and one: in 1926, 21 and three; in 1927, 21 and two: and in 1928. 22 proficiency. Trained infantteachers supervise the work of the primary classes. The secondary department aims at providing sound education. Pupils can take courses ranging from one to four <years, and may be prepared for Public Service Entrance and Matriculation examinations. ! In every way the scheme has been I successful.