EDUCATION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 91, 17 April 1929, Page 7

EDUCATION

MINISTER S VIEWS ALTERATION IN SYSTEM STATEMENT TO DEPUTATION [ Per Press Association. 1 WELLINGTON, April 16. Members of the executives of the various teachers’ organisations, primary and secondary, availed themselves to-day of the opportunity of expressing their views to the Minister of Education (Hon. H. Atmore), before he makes public his intentions in regard to alterations to the education system. Speaking on behalf of the New Zealand Educational Institute, Mr H. Parkinson said that the one object that had been considered by' his executive was the best means of providing ami carrving on a system of education that would to the best effect develop and turn to account the stores of ability and energy that lay latent in the youth of the nation. The executive regarded as fundamental for the carrying out of such a system the principles which it named —unity, continuity and co-ordin-at ion. The present tripartite system, continued Mr Parkinson, was excessively cumbersome ami needlessly expensive. There was nothing like it anywhere else in the Empire. It was Quite unsuitable to the purpose in hand. The Institute had for many years been suggesting that the three existing systems of government should be combined and that there should bo in each locality a single controlling authority with power to co-ordinate all the educational activities within its area. The important thing to be aimed at was that the pupil should go to the school where his appropriate course was followed, that the course should be fitted to the pupil, not the pupil to the course, as was the present practice. The present system did not allow of classification of either pupils or teachers. For Technical Schools Speaking on behalf of the Technical Schools’ Association. [Mr L. J. Wild said that in all districts whore it could be made possible, as by consolidation, conveyance or otherwise. primary school pupils should graduate into postprimary schools after passing Standard IV or on reaching tire ago of 12 years. Primary schools ir> other districts should be prepared to carry pupils to Standard VII. As from 1930, he said, post-primary schools having accommodation avail- * able should receive as free pupils all ' pupils who had passed standard 5. This • step would enable readjustment to take place gradually without undue dislocation. “The niversal opinion was that during the early post-primary years the course should be general. His Association maintained that training in craftsmanship was of the very highest educational value for adolescents and should occupy a much more important place in any gmoral course. Training in mechanics, arts and crafts, and in Jcience related to agriculture, especially biological science, should ’’’e accorded a much higher place of honour than was the place at present in post-prim-ary schools.’’ Reduce the Classes. The views of the New Zealand Secondary Schools Association were placed before the Minister by Mr H. B. Kidson, who said he maintained that primary school class’s must be reduced in size. The break between so-called primary and secondary work was best made at 11, but the post-primary schools which would receive the pupils at this age must offer a wide choice of courses including courses non-academic in character. Following on a short discussion the Minister said that he himself was satisfied that some alteration would have to be made. “Personally.” he said. “I am in favour of extending the powers of one board—l do not wish my remarks to be construed that I am advocating the abolition of the education boards. The time has arrived when there should be a distinct alteration in the post-primary education. z Unemployment Problem. “I have no hesitation.’* he said “in repeating that our employment is largely the result of our edneative system. Whatever alteration is made it is absolutely necessary, if we are to <lo away with unemployment, to restore our primary 'ndustries to a placo of first consideration in the minds of all educationalists. “To-day.” continued the Minister, is last on. the list. Such a state of affairs is absurd in a country like Now Zealand, where the towns arc absolutely dependent on the reduction of the country. After all we must have a New Zealand system of education. We must have - system that will fit the boys and g.’ls for the lives they will lead in our country.’’