SCHOOL AGRICULTURE

Taranaki Daily News, 17 July 1930, Page 14

SCHOOL AGRICULTURE

MONTHLY REPORT TO BOARD. Agriculture work in tho schools of Taranaki was reported to the Education Board yesterday. Mr. R, G, Ridling, tho chief instructor, said:

During the month visits to primary schools for ordinary work have been ■restricted by the judging of crops and mounting and judging school work at the shows at New Plymouth and at Ha--wera. The work in schools visited is ,proceeding satisfactorily, most teachers giving rather more time to indoor ex-

perimental work, as is customary at this season.

The portion of the judge’s report on tho work of the boys’ and girls’ clubs in the northern district dealing with the supervision, of work by teachers, requires careful consideration. This movement is so large and of such educational and economic importance, that the closest supervision of the work is essential. The design of the work is such fts will giro training of high educational value if the teachers grapple with the task fully. Each task set is an individual task presenting its own peculiar difficulties, so that in each school district an infinite number of problems present themselves for solution. The pupils, who are engaged in the work are not of an age to solve the problems without help and guidance, and t lie teacher is the helper to whom they turn. The work presents wonderful opportunities to the sympathetic teacher who discusses and, perhaps, sometimes inspects the work. Supervision can do much, instructors. can do a little, but teachers who are on .the spot determine its success or failure. That the work has been so successful in Taranaki is a wonderful testimony to our teachers, but some- have still not yet realised that this work is school work, is educational in the highest sense, and should be carefully watched and diligently fostered. Reports of the work in the southern and Ohura districts will be presented later, .

School nursery work is well hi hand, and a large number of trees are ready for planting out or for distribution to farmers in the districts. Interchange of trees and shrub's between some schools is being arranged though most schools have not sufficient for their needs.

Displays of work done in the schools

and by the boys’ and girls' clubs 'were made at the New Plymouth and Hawera shows. These were attractive and im structive exhibits. Mr. J. A. Valentine, in company with Mr. Syme and the supervisor, attended the Kiore school to present the Tisch Shield. . . Members of the board commented favourably on the work being accomplished by the boys’ and girls’ club movement, particular stress being made on the need to create further interest among teachers. .

Mr. Valentine said Mr. Ridling had given the manual and technical committee particulars of the cost of running the glubs. By the creation of wider interest among the teachers the costs of this very find movement would be reduced.

On the recommendation of the finance committee donations of £7 10s each were made to the several divisions of the boys' and girls' clubs in Taranaki.