THE LAND.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 857, 8 November 1916, Page 10

THE LAND.

INSTRUCTION FOR CHILDREN. EDUCATION BOARD CONSIDERS PROPOSALS. AGRICULTURAL COMMITTEE,

The Agricultural Committee of the Canterbury Education Board reported at this morning's meeting that Mr Marlin had suggested that the aim of the course should be to teach scientific method and the art of acquiring knowledge. Mr Martin suggested that the lines to be followed in future work should be as follows. His suggestions were approved, subject in the provisos given in brackets;— (1) To carry out primary school agriculture along present lines, but stressing the experimental and practical aspect of the work. (2) To greatly increase the equipment of shrubs and plants for Nature study and for artistic effect, and to this end to establish a small nursery in the coming autumn for the propagation (partly by the students) of useful types. (3) To foster the methods of graphical record, and of continued or consecutive study of one of more phenomena. CO To encourage the growth of fruit trees, principally to provide material for pruning and spraying rather than merely, to propagate such. (5) To get some kind of correlation between wood work and agriculture. (6) To place the practical work of the rural course at most district high schools on a more satisfactory basis than has previously existed.—Referred to inspectors. (7) To arrange some co-operative experiments between the pupils of the district high schools and the neighbouring farmers. (8) To provide the necessary equipment at Oxford and at Kaiapoi for the equipment of the recently-built laboratories. (Mr Marlin to supply list of necessary equipment and application to be made to the department for grant.) (9) To arrange for “farm schools” on some well-conducted farm in Canterbury so soon as there are sufficient boys taking the rural course as a step towards successful farming. (Approved, when there should be sufficient number of boys available.) (10) To get into closer touch with the farming community by the holding of short courses. (It was agreed that a circular be sent to the different Agricultural and Pastoral Associations in North Canterbury, offering Mr Martin’s services as lecturer on subjects in connection with agriculture.) (11) To provide free accommodation at the Saturday teachers’ class for returned soldiers who wish to lake up farming pursuits,

and who wish to get some of the necessary mental equipment, or to hold special classes for such if the numbers warrant it, dealing with the real every-day problems of tbc farm. (12) To encourage better work in the note-books. (13) To provide leaving certificates for pupils who have taken the rural course and to find employment for such pupils as wish to specialise in any branch of agriculture. (That the department he recommended to issue such certificates, also to give marks for agriculture in the award of proficiency certificates.) (•11) To arrange for the boys taking 'he rural course to visit one or more >f the agricultural shows and to arrange with some of the judges to give a short talk to the boys on the udging of the various classes of xbibits. (It was agreed that head .eachers of district high schools he recommended lo arrange for such visits.! It was not considered any material purpose would be served by again asking schools to harvest cocksfoot and other grass seeds.

The committee took the following view of the recommendations: —(!) Tour comniiitee does not commend the proposal that the instructor should collaborate with the architect for the site of all new buildings. (2) It was agreed to adirm and continue the existing policy for the general improvement of all grounds where application for trees, shrub'.;, etc.. is made to the board, half the cost to he guaranteed by the committee. (.1) A suggestion that the board approves of the erection of artistic screens and shelters to facilitate outdoor leaching was referred to the Buildings Committee, as was also the recommendation that verandah accommodation should he provided when new schools are erected. (I) The suggestion that members of the board should occasionally visit schools*and teachers’ classes was approved. (5) A suggestion that the schools of the district should be graded in the matter of agricultural instruction, and the names of schools placed in the first grade published, was approved, the grading to be done in collaboration with the inspectors. (0) It was agreed to recommend the board to authorise the issue of a biennial pamphlet dealing with agriculture and Nature-study, the cost not to exceed £25 per annum. (7) The recommendation that the model rural school attached to each Normal Training College should be an actual rural school in a rural district was referred to the Appointments’ Committee. The report was adopted.