AGRICULTURE IN SCHOOLS.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 November 1920, Page 6

AGRICULTURE IN SCHOOLS.

VALUE OP GARDENING WORK. As the outcome of the opinion expressed by the instructors of agriculture that the standard of attainment in the agricultural work in the primary schools leaves much to he desired, the Auckland Education Board recently appointed Mr. H. S. W. King to confer with the supervisor of the manual and technical branch, Mr. J. P. Kalaughcr, and prepare a report', to be submitted to the senior inspector. The report recommends that the scheme for teaching elementary agriculture in primary schools should he in accord with thai: laid down in the pamphlet issued by the board in lillS, and in a form approved by the instructor in agriculture for the district, and 'by an inspector of schools. It is staled there exists a lack of continuity in rural science leaching throughout the school year. Greater attention should be devoted to the systematic recording of observational and experimental work, so that the books might be an index of the year's work. More appreciation by the teachers of the educational value of the actual gardening work was necessary, alid all gardening operations should he regarded m< providing opportunities for the cimneeiing of indoor experimental work with its practical application to plant and soil problems. Tt was recommended thn'. certificates of merit he awarded each year to schools attaining » liiffh Maiidard in rural science work.