EDUCATION REFORM

Waikato Times, Volume 92, Issue 14364, 15 May 1920, Page 5

EDUCATION REFORM

MINISTER'S DRASTIC PROPOSALS. RECASTING THE SYLLABUS. FOR THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS. By Telegraph—Press Association. "WELLINGTON, Saturday. Addressing the Education Conference, Hon. C. J. Parr, Minister for Education, outlined important proposals regarding educational reform. The Minister, who was accorded a most enthusiastic hearing, said that he desired to introduce a number of subjects for full and free discussion with reference to educational reform in New Zealand. He wished lo take advantage of the presence of all the inspectors •and representative teachers from all over New Zealand to discuss important matters which came within their own peculiar province. He wanted them specially lo discuss the question of recasting the whole syllabus of instruction, with the object of providing for:— (a) TJic termination of the primary school course at approximately the age of 12 years.

(b) The preparation of pupils for admission to secondary schools at the age of about 12 years.

(c) The establishment of central schools at which pupils who do not proceed lo Hie secondary schools will continue their education after passing the primary stage. (d) Further instruction in a primary school for, say. two years, of pupils who had completed the primary school course in localities where the establishment of central schools would be desirable.

(e) A scheme of continued daylight education to, say, the age of 18. The Minister, proceeding, said that all the world over the leading educationalists were advising the re-casting of the whole primary system of education on the lines he had indicated. Such proposals obviously meant more schools and more teachers, but that was no reason why, if it meant expense, New Zealand should lag behind the rest of t.he world. They could carry on from '/> lo 15 years with a post-elementary course in most of the country schools. In the cities, of course, there should be no difficulty. He was afraid that many children lost a lot of lime under our sixth standard course as it at present existed. Elsewhere they were cutting down Hie elementary course and starting the secondary course at the aa-e of 12 years. It was held that a knowledge of the "three IVs" should be rooted and established by the age of 12. Re quoted numerous authorities abroad as showing the trend of educational reform, and in this connection specially emphasised the importance of the eslablisbmenl of central schools. The* people at Home, he observed, since the war had been taking hold of the problem with both hands. Were we not lagging behind? What he wanted to hear'them specially discuss was the establishment of— Elementary schools for children between the ages of 6 and 12 years. Intermediate schools for children between the ages of 12 and 16 years not attending secondary schools. Secondary schools for children between 12 and 18 years. The Minister, in concluding his address, said that the opinion of the leading educationalist in Australia (Mr Frank Tait) was that unless, they frankly recognised that elementary education* ended at 12 years of age the proper development of intermediate and higher education was impossible. GENERALLY ENDORSED. _BY EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Saturday. The Educational Conference generally endorsed Mr Parr's scheme of reform, though all the speakers did not favour il, and others who supported if said there were obstructions in the way.