EDUCATION COMMISSION

West Coast Times, 27 June 1912, Page 3

EDUCATION COMMISSION

1 EVIDENCE FROM WESTLAND. BOARD AND THE RECTOR. (By Telegraph—Special to the Times) CHRISTCHURCH, June 25. To the Commission on Education, siting to-day, Mr. G. Perry (chairman of the Westland Education Board) and Mr. A. J. Morton, 8.A., (Secretary and Inspector of Schools) forwarded a statement on behalf of the Board, Tho statement was confined to the conditions existent in tho district, The Board, In its statement, indicated that no scheme of amalgamation of the small district had yet been presented in a form that pei'rcitted the Board to give consideration to it, Tho Westland District on a capitation basis would bo consider-

el expensive. Certain schools were separated by 300 miles and, in addition, owing to the number of small schools, the teachers were to a large extent, inexperienced. The direction

had to be carried on virtually by an organising Inspector in addition to his ordinary duties. Tho amalgamation of schools or school districts presented serious difficulties, tho district being intersected by rivers which rendered tho conveyance of pupils impossible, Owing to objections (based on climatic conditions, there was „a general opposition on the part of parents to any scheme cf amalgamation. Tho industrial conditions of the district prevented the adoption of vocational training, even if in primary schools it could be admitted as desirable. Mining was con lined to alluvial mining; agriculture was exceedingly limited and in the few localities where co-operative {burying was’ carried on there only existed sol ■ teacher schools. School gardening, hand work and nature study were limited and were not allowed to take up time required for tho preparation of tho main branches of study. The Board was in favour of the reduction of the course in arithmetic and tho application cf the rules more widely in a practical direction and of tho simplification and unification of the course in geography. It was considered that tho course in English embraced sufficient grammatical knowledge, but the requirements should not be reduced in tho District High Schools. There to- no demand for specialisation in agricultural instruction, unless in the inclusion of mechanics in the course might ho regarded as relating to mines and sawmilling. Tho course of instruction was influenced largely by matriculation and civil service requirements, owing to the demands of teachers, law students ami prospective university students. Owing I

to tho remoteness of tho district great difficulty was experienced in obtaining or retaining certificated teachers. The teachers with 1) certificates wore too advanced for tho minimum requirements. In view of tho fact that the majority of the schools of the. Dominion were under sole teachers, tho Board had recommended tho adoption of a provisional ceitificate based on an examination

subjects of tho primary course

with a standard of tost higher than the VI Standard, hut lower than the D examination. Such a co.rtfiicato

would not have effect where any certificates for a position held a D certificate. The present teachers’ regulations were morn applicable to large schools, but the teachers, when qualified, did not remain in tho Westland district.

MIL DE BERRY'S EVIDENCE

By Telegraph.—Special to Times)

CHRISTCHURCH, Juno 26.

Mr. L. F. de Berry, representing

the Westland Branch of tho N.Z.E.I. stated that Education districts wore too unequal. The larger districts at-

tracted tho best teachers and the smaller ones repelled. Enthusiastic teachers in small districts are shut oig. from larger ones by parochial considerations that determined the appointment of teachers. There were too many Education Boards in the district. Auckland had about 40,000 pupils and 445 schools while Westlaud had 1,100 pupils and 35 schools. Ho suggested the establishment of four districts approximately' corresponding with the University College districts, although North Canterbury had 86 per cent of certificated teachers and Westland only' 30 per cent. Owing to geographical considerations some readjustment would be required. A promotion scheme providing for the promotion of teachers upon a definite basis is urgently needed. Efficiency should determine '.promotions. Rural schools should bo conso-

lidatcd and the Inspectors’ should he wider the control of the Department, certainly so far as the interpretation of the syllabus is concerned. The salaries of assistants in the Secondary Departments of District High Schools should be increased. The mmey spent on free books could bo better used in other directions. Mr. de Berry went on to say that the syllabus needed amendment in the following directions;— Arithmetic should be more evenly distributed over the Standards; geography should have much mathematical work deleted to keep enunciation and pronunciation pure, definite teaching in phonics is desirable ; more importance should bo given to history; and schools should bo fully staffed with assistant teachers and not pupil teachers, who should be merely supernumeraries.