EDUCATIONAL MATTERS.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13489, 8 June 1914, Page 4

EDUCATIONAL MATTERS.

INTERESTING QUESTIONS

[ONitED Press Association.]

Wellington, June 7. Some interesting questions relating to educational matters were discussed at a meeting of the Wellington Association, of Women Teachers held at Godber s tea rooms last evening. Miss P. Myers presided over a large attendance. Miss Myers addressed the meeting on the importance of th e education of girls on the broadest lines, in order to equip them for the great influence they would wield over the men of the next generation, either as mothers or as teachers, or as nurses. In these! capacities she said women were closely associated with all young children, and had the greatest influence throughout the most impressionable year 3of both boys and girls. The girl of to-day must be educated with this fact well in view, and it was only reasonable to acknowledge that if the proper authority were- gh'en to suitable women,-much improvement on the present system could be obtained. The Minister for Education had desired to be informed of matters discussed by the women teachers. The fact that a resolution to theeffeet that women members should be included in the proposed Council of Education showed how general a feeling on that point existed. The psycho physiological needs of girls at the adolescent stage said Miss-Myers, could not be adequately understood except by women. Another very important matter in the education of girls was the increasing demand for a knowledge of domestic science, peculiarly a subject tor women to deal with. The unification of the educational system was an important function of any controlling body. In order that tin, could be done effectively all classes must be represented. If the girls as well as the boys wore- to be educated so as to equip them fully phyically, mentally, and morally for the battle of life, the counsel and judgment of women, as well as of men, must be .brought to bear on what so vitally concerned the future welfare of the nation. ~ The present conditions would have to be modified to effect improvement, and it would bo necessary that the women selected for tne PJ"'" pose should have first hand knowledge of the conditions prevailing m theschools. They should be able to take a comprehensive view of education practical and in sympathy with the human element that was to b© developed. Missi Coad then moved: "That the powers of appointing teachers be removed from school committees, and vested in Educational Boards and Inspectors.'' The motion, she said, did not propose to abolish school committees . They all- realised and appreciated the committees' powers of assisting the national system of education; for instance, they did much to arouse local interest in the schools, and with the co-operation: of the teachers, they provided apparatus, libraries, 'etc. £ They were instrumental in, providing for the sanitation of schools. It was-,, well known that some school committees .themselves' wished; they liad^ not tiio power of appointing the teachers, and realised the limitations of a parochial and local view, and in some cases cot mittees committed gross mistakes not knowing enough about teachers a. .their qualifications.:.. From n teacher, point of view it was much more satisfactory that someone, for instance, the Inspector-General, who had some know ledg£ of the applicant's efficiency and service, should make the appointmentsAn amendment to add the words "pending the appointment of* an administrative council of education" was adopted, and the motion was carried unanimously. Miss Sinclair, in a brief address on certain suggested reforms, said that a great deal of useful and practical knowledge had been accumulated by the women tefichers individually, and pointedout the great value it would have if it were concentrated, to be used by representatives. She indicated the present lack of continuity between the primary and secondary schools, a phase of which was: girls required careful supervision after the strain ,of scholarship work, which was under present conditions unnecessary. The scholar passed on to a fresh syllabus, which included now subjects. There was much waste of power for several reasons. The tendency to specialise too soon was referred to, girls'frequently leaving to become typists when quite unlit to become corresponding clerks, or to do other valuable work for their employers. In the matter of holidays, ftlso, eoroe adjustment was necessary. At present tho colleges, secondary schools, and technical institutions all had different vacations, which-'from a parent's point of view was unsatisfactory.