WORKERS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18614, 16 November 1928, Page 9

WORKERS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION NOTES.

(Contributed.) The advantages of education are realised and appreciated by many men and women in various social and economic relationships. Because of this the demand for adult education is becoming more persistent each year. This demand is not limited to the selfgoverning dominions and America, but is a world-wide social movement.

The person engaged in economic pursuits or with his time occupied mainly in vocational training realises that with a cultural education his mind is better trained to apply itself to the various problems that have to be faced. Cultural education or a study of the social and art subjects result in a widened horizon, a deeper appreciation of the finer forces in life, a keener sense of the beautiful in art, literature and music; and thus his life becomes of greater interest which permits the development of an acute mind in conjunction with social sympathies. Again education with the great possibilities of greater interests aroused within the mind of the individual is a strong factor in making it possible for inmates of institutions to bear the isolation and the lack of freedom which is necessary in these places. For instance, the Workers’ Educational Association has during the last two years organised a class in the Cashmere Sanatorium. The students are given written lectures with illustrations on music, drama, art, literature. The class appoints its own leader who reads through the lecture and explains the various points and encourages discussion. The various illustrations are passed round, and the students observe the points which are raised in the lecture. In addition ten sets of books on modern plays are used. The students read aloud the parts and then a discussion on the play, its author, and the various characters takes place. By this method modern social problems are considered and the latest developments in the arts are known. The interest of the students is taken outside their own surroundings and a wider interest takes its place, thus making their lives happier and richer.

The same idea has been taking place during the last two years at the Paparua Prison, but instead of sending written lectures, a lecturer visits the prison every Saturday evening during the W.E.A. session. The subjects discussed are mostly social in nature. They are given to interest the students in the life of other countries, that is, their customs, laws and social organisation. Lantern slides are often used to make the lecture of greater interest. Last year eleven lecturers gave nineteen lectures gratis. The Rotary Club of Christchurch associated with the W.E.A. in this work by organising the conveyance for the lecturer to and from the prison. The Director of the prison has reported to Paliament on the good work being done by the W.E.A. in that institution. Thus education and its benefits are placed before all adults in the community by the W.E.A. The result must be realised in a greater intelligence and in a better understanding of the principles whereby democracy and social life are .carried on.