TEACHING THE YOUNG IDEA.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 11921, 18 July 1906, Page 6

TEACHING THE YOUNG IDEA.

Learning How to Do It.

A Plate* Whore Teacher* are * Taught.

As several young men and women, somo •with, teaching experience, some without, have gone trom this district to the Teachers' Training College in Wellington for further equipment in their profession, some information about such a useful institution will no doubt be read with interest. As is well known, in this district at all •vents, the head of the College is Mr W. Gray, M.A., formerly Chief Inspector of Schools here.. .That gentleman being in town on a brief visit, one of the '"Herald" staff called on him yesterday morning at his hotel, when he very kindly spared some of his time for an interesting chat about the College as it is, and as lie hope* it will be. The College is located in what, was formerly the Thorudon Public School, which has been altered and adapted to .the College requirements at a cost of JB6UOO. When completed, it will comprise a practising school and a students' department. The lead teacher in the practising school, which will accommodate 400 children, is Mr J. C. Webb. B.A. It includes a very nnely equipped Infant Department, built on the most modern, plan, which is under the direction of Miss Fitch, whe was brought out from England especially to take charge of a department ih which up-to-date and modern methods ire so indispensable. Another feature is a model country school, which is under' the direction ot Mr Tamblin, formerly headmaster of the Bulls school. It is the intention of the Principal to also organise a model twoteacher school, the type of school which, next to the country school, is most common. Tiiis will be specially utilised in the training of women teachers, many of whom tind their way to this class of school.

The Students' Department contain* sittingrooniH ior both sexes, in addition to lecture rooms and a well-equipped science room. Provision it» also made for the instruction ot thu students iv the important subjects of cookery and woodwork, for which there are special room*. Three classes of students are found, Jit the institution. First., there are 34 young people who have already been pupif teachers. Another class comprises teachers who have already gqne through their pupil teacher•hip. while there the* 18 students who har« not had teaching experience, having come direct from High Schools or Colleges. The first and last classes take a two-year •ourse, while ths second -may stay for a longer or shorter term, as they desire. In addition to their work at the Training College, all must take a couras of certain subjects at the "Victoria University College, the aim being to combine s high degree of general culture, which is given at the University, with efficiency in school method and organisation, as imparted at the Training College. An interesting and "important featurs of the Practising School is the secondary department, with some 40 pupils. The object of this is 'to provide practice for those teachers who are training for work in secondary schools. As Instancing the earnestness with which the aims of the College are kept in view, it should be said that the scholars of this department are chosen from those who wish to make teaching their profession*. "We catch them young," remarked Mr Gray, "and train them in the' very subjects they want, so that they may som* day nass out to pupil teachershlptf' with' afi* amount of specialised preliminary training that is not possible under previous conditions.'' Specialisation is so, roach a characteristic of present day conditions that ons is not surprised to hear of it being carried out at the T&SftiOtt College. The students ar* practised in all departments in order to secure an all round training in methods and discipline. Those, however, who' show special aptitude for any particular class of work subsequently continue their training in it, specialising in infant, secondary, or ordinary class work. In comparing pafet and present methods •f training, Mr Gray said, "The tendency in regard to the training of teachers is ■ow towards the abolition, or at least the eurtailmsnt of the pupil teacher course, and the substitution therefor of a two or three years' 1 course of training at a college, in which all that is best in the pupil teacher course will be maintained, while its less desirable features 'will be eliminated. Especially will this do away with ths necessity of a young teacher doing a whole 'day's 'work!' and pjiving to oairy ou bis studies at He same time.. Oi'tes thit

class of teaching does not make for efficiency, as it merely stops a gap, and is no proper training. The amount of work the average pupil teacher has to do makes is impossible for a student of ordinary calibre to maintain a high standard both in his studies and his teaching. Not that many good teachers have not been turned out under the old* system, but such a system is not capable of the best results." Speaking further about the College, Mr Gray emphasised the desirability of making it a residential institution. At present, he said, it was a most difficult matter for students to obtain suitable lodgings at a reasonable rate, and a residential college, besides obviating this drawback, would possess other evident advantages. If the matter cannot be faced by the GoTernment, it should, he continued, commend itßelf to the philanthropy of the rich. Dunedin has been quick to see the benefits of such an institution, and in a most self -reliant spirit has already collected some £15,000 towards that object, so that the Wellington district should see that it is not left behind.

Another thing the College is badly in need of is more grounds, as the present ones are quite inadequate, both for pupils amd students. They will be further limited', by the fact that a considerable area must be cultivated for the purposes of nature study and agricultural instruction, both of which are included in the curiculum. - In fact the necessity for more ground is an urgent one. Chatting oh general subjects connected with the College, Mr Gray mentioned that the additions, which are expected to be completed in a week or two, will include a gymnasium. Another purpose which he hopes to make the College serve is that of an experimenting ground for new furniture in order to arrive at the best type for use in our schools. The four Colleges, one at each University centre in the colony, are under the control of the local Education Boards, but one aim is to bring the students into close touch with the University life of these towns.

Mr Gray, in conclusion, expressed himself as woll pleased with the progress already made, and he looks forward to good work aud a useful career for the College. The influence which such an institution should in future exercise on Education in this colony can scarcely be estimated at the present time. Combining as it dpes in it» students University culture and high teaching efficiency, it will, we have no doubt, ■ carry its influence from the city to the township, and from the coast to the backblocks, and result in benefits to the rising generation no less substantial than those it confers upon its students. ' '