AGRICULTURAL TEACHING.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 January 1930, Page 8

AGRICULTURAL TEACHING.

Though it was to some extent concerned with the administrative rather man the educational aspect of the matter, the discussion by the Taranaki -Kducation Board in regard to the teaching of agriculture in primary schools was of some importance. The ooard appears to be convinced that if the teaching is to influence pupils to any great extent agriculture must be regarded as portion of the regular' school work and not an extra subject taken up by enthusiasts and dependent upon the visits of special instructors from time to to keep teacher and pupils up to the mark. In view of tho avowed intention to reorganise the education system so as to give training for country life at least as much concentration as has hitherto been given to academic subjects the attitude of the board seems but an intelligent anticipation of events. If the ordinary teaching staff is to have agriculture added to the syllabus it will be necessary that it receive the essential training for such a duty. Judging from remarks passed at the Education Board’s meeting it seems evident that at present the training colleges are weak in this respect. In Taranaki, thanks to the zeal and energy of the special instructors and the support afforded them-by the board, the number of teachers able and willing to give instruction in elementary husbandry is increasing: all tho time, while the interest displayed by pupils and their par-

cuts is shown in the success which is attending the Boys’ and Girls’ Club movement throughout the province. It appears that the work has been sufficiently organised in certain districts to permit of its extension to others without any increase in the number of special instructors. There is everything to commend in such an extension provided lessened oversight docs u.-t lead to diminished efficiency in the schools where tuition in husbandry is now being given. The board’s expert advisers are satisfied that there need be no fear of this and that an extension of agricultural classes is fully warranted.