JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

Waipa Post, Volume 32, Issue 1786, 24 July 1926, Page 4

JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

INSTITUTION JUSTIFYING ITSELF. REPLY TO CRITICISM. ... - Thorough, informing and encouraging was the review of the Matamata Junior High School activities ancl policies given before a meeting o£ the Junior High. School Committee, at Matamata,, on Friday night, by the headmaster, Mr J. F. Wells. MJL We make the following extracts, in view of the interest displayed in the- Te Awamutu district:—

“Progress of Scholars: There is at present an unusually, high-hercentage. of backward scholars,: and tthese will J continue: to be a drag on the school; for some time to come. : .SlevenaL conditions jhave helped to bring thisabout. There seems no doubt that * these scholars were backward tSlhen they arrived at the school; .thtey were' left as a legacy-to the new institution. Further, our efforts are hampered by the fact that a good half of the scholars come in by bus or train, and must leave early or immediately the dismissal bell sounds. This' means that the backward pupils cannot be kept for special individual attention. Then, too, a school of this new type aims at promoting all the scholars through the forms in order to create in them a positive attitude towards school life, f and to enable them to gain some experience of higher work and to mix with those of their own age. This is considered saner .than forcing and old l child, to remain as a hopeless failure among children far below him in physical development and interested in things that are to the older boy either childish or utterly boring. This sympathetic promotion of children who cannot pass the standard tests has much to commend it, hut the percentage of passes at State examinations is naturally- lowered, for in the so-called efficient schools these children are not' allowed to reach stand-'-ard VI. Though labouring under such- 1, * difficulties, we hope to effect considerable improvement. It was not until last year that Kowhai itself received a flattering report from the inspectors, and Kowhai had everything in its favour as regards staffing, contributing schools, accommodation and accessibility. At Kowhai all pupi-ls are promoted, and there are always two classes whose .chances of passing Standard VI proficiency or Competency examinations are very remote. The other six classes are, with conrparatively .few exceptions, certain to pass Standard VI proficiency or competency.

“Where .this Junior High School hais Succeeded: In spite of all the difficulties to be overcome, the local institution has already scored one great success. It has kept at school children who would otherwise have been plunged into some “blind alley' occupation for which they had no particular interest or bent. These have continued their studies and some are showing signs of marked improvement in their work. Many of those who failed in their examinations last December will no doubt redeem themselves this year. Others cannot hope to do this, but they are doing practical work iii book-keeping,' dairy science, agriculture and woodwork or cookery, dressmaking ' and first aid and will leave school far better equip ped to face the practical problems of life, and to choose" and entbr an occupation more in keeping with, their special interests and natural inclinations. The following fact has to be kept constantly- in mind 1 : where other schools are catering for the brilliant scholar, and driving children into the learned professions, we are cateringjust as much for. those l who are usually left by "the wayside. It is these we are endeavouring to equip move completely, not only for life generally, but for those occupations calling for practical common sense, upon which depends the real prosperity of our country. In other words, we are jcatering for those entering p‘ro’duct !v e w occupations just as much as : we' are for those who are entering careers made possible only by the wealth that is broadcasted by those productive occupations. It is gratifying to know that those parents whose children, show no inclination or aptitude for aff academic career are demanding the modern course; * and this fact alone should answer any criticism levelled at .the Junior High School as to its suitability 'for a rural district. There are ! some in high authority who would like us to jettison -the academic course altogether and concentrate -on the practical course. If we did this, however, we should fail in qur 'duty to those parents whose children show decided leanings towards the professions. The new Minister for Education believes the children should follow their natural bent, and: that seems a reasonable attitude. We are, therefore, to the best of our ability, providing both types of education.