COMMISSION ON EDUCATION.

West Coast Times, 17 June 1912, Page 4

COMMISSION ON EDUCATION.

VALUABLE DUNEDIN EVIDENCE. READING A BACKWARD SUBJECT [PEE PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPYRIGHT.] DUNEDIN, June 15.

Professor White was emphatic yesterday in.-his evidence before the Education Commission that reading was one, of the few subjects on the syllabus to which much closer attention should be given.

.. “ It has such a wide influence on life and character,” he said, “and we would like very much more time for English and in that we would be equipping the hoys and girls in a much wider sense than many know. There are many false notions abroad in the world that it would not exist if more attention were given to English.”

TECHNICAL SCHOOL DIRECTOR. DUNEDIN, June 15. Mr. Angus Marshall, Director of the Technical School, advocated a Council of Education. The matriculation standard might well be raised. About 51 percent of the pupils passing the fourth standard never passed tlie sixth. ' The Council of Education should consist of .retifpd Inspectors, business men, and others in direct contact with education, to confer with the InspectorGeneral or Minister.

TEACHERS’ INSTITUTE PRESIDENT. Mr. G. W. C. Mac Donald, rcpresonting tho Teachers’ Institute, advocated the formation of four boards to control education in tho Dominion. He urged greater facilities for tho removal of teachers from ono district to another. Tho money spent in education should come out" of the consolidated revenue.

TRAINING COLLEGE PRINCIPLE. Mr. Pindcr, hea'd of the Training College, urged considerable modification in the primary course. Tho present system conduced to cramming and over-pressure. No girl of fourteen should be allowed to sit for a scholarship examination, as by reason of overpressure much physical harm was being done them. Tho headmaster and inspector should select the most promising pupils. Tho Otago Institute strongly favoured tho abolition of scholarships.