DEBATE ON EDUCATION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 235, 3 October 1929, Page 7

DEBATE ON EDUCATION

BILL IN THE UPPER HOUSE SNOBBERY IN HIGH SCHOOLS [ Per Press Association. ] WELLINGTON, Oct. 2. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. to-day. The Education Amendment Bill of the Hon. G. Al. Thomson was reported from tho Education Committee with an amendment. Discussion ensued on the annual education report. The Hon. G. M. Thomson criticised the section of the syllabus dealing with nature study, and said that while it was very adm'irable it rather overshot the mark. Tho majority of students wore not sufficiently trained to enable the subject to be properly taught. He stressed the importance of developing the observational faculty in the child, and suggested that more importance should be devoted to nature study as an examination subject. Time given to classic languages in secondary schools should be better used for foundational work in other directions. While commending the idea of training children for their future occupations he remarked that, unfortunately, in too mfiny cases they had no choice, but had to go out and earn their living as best they could. He deplored the atmosphere of snobbery in some of the high schools at the expense of technical schools and said they should bo placed on the same basis. The junior high schools system he regarded as an expensive experiment which could be well replaced by the adjustment of higher classes in the primarv schools.

The Hon. J. Barr agreed that secondary departments should not be allowed to overshadow the technical. He thought value was not, at present, being given for the .annual education expenditure. Tn regard to child welfare he advocated a co-ordination of the social services carried out by the various institutions and the establishment of a separate department to administer that phase of the work. The Hon. V. H. Reed also complained that service was not being given for the education expenditure, particularly in country districts. Tn many cases teachers were overpaid for the services they rendered. There had been no real advance in the educational facilities in the country districts in tho last 30 rears.

The debate was adjourned on the motion of the Hon. A. 8. Afalcolm and the Council rose until Wednesday next.