DOMESTIC SCHOOLS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 252, 27 November 1914, Page 4

DOMESTIC SCHOOLS.

The Victorian State Government has come to a sensible decision in their intention to establish domestic art centres for gii'ls, so that they may, within the last two years of their elementary school term, receive a practical training in all subjects incidental to home-making. In this wise step they have set an example that might well be followed by their sister Australasian States, providing that the theory of turning out good home-makers is carried out with successful and permanent results.

It is a marvellous thing that this most important'branch of a girl's education, a good working knowledge of domestic science, should have been so completely neglected for such a lengthy period. The girls were systematically taught everything else that was deemed a necessary part of their education, but the science of being a good housekeeper, and—work of more significance —a good home-maker, they were supposed to "pick-up" in a hazhazard fashion, or- learn by instinct. Now, there, are certain domestic, and housewifely instincts in every girl, and they are all right „as far as they go. Thetrouble lies in the fact that they don't go far enough. Tlrey want training, pruning, and directing —in fact, systematic teaching —if the best results are to be achieved.

In Christchurcli, at the hostel ip connection with the Technical College, we have a good work being performed. A Melbourne writer, touching on the just inaugurated Victorian scheme, says that it is to be hoped that thoroughness will characterise all the teaching, and that it will be of a practical nature. At the hostel which has just been mentioned, the teaching is thorough and intensely practical, seeing that the students do every bit of work in connection with

the place, .without any outside assistance, under, of course, the direction of the principal, Mrs Gard'ner. To know that it is scrupulously well done needs only a visit and an inspection of the rooms. If the work which is just being commenced in Victoria is carried out on an equally sound basis—a thing which everyone having at heart the full and complete education of women the world over will wish—no one will have room for anything like adverse criticism.