EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM.

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17712, 16 May 1929, Page 8

EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM.

IMPORTANT CHANGES PROPOSED. EDUCATION INSTITUTE'S PLAN. WEIGHTY RECOMMENDATIONS. WELLINGTON, Wednesday. Important changes in the education system of New Zealand were proposed by a special committee of the New Zealand Educational Institute, which reported to the conference to-day. The report contained the following recommendations: — 1. That as the educative process is continuous the New Zealand system ot education to the end of the secondary course should he under the control and direction of a single authority for each determined area-

2. That the first essential to any system of reorganisation is the reduction of the sizes of classes at primary schools.

3. That tlte education system of New Zealand should be reorganised, with recognition of the following stages: (a) 3-5 years, kindergarten; (b) 5-11, primary; (c) over 11, secondary.

4. That, the following principles be accepted for the first stages of the secondary course: (a) That from the age of 11 to 15 no specialisation in the direction of agricultural, commercial or industrial education should be attempted, but that that period he recognised only as exploratory to determine the aptitude of the pupil; (b; that the curricula provide for the operation of a variety of differentiated courses to enable a bias to be given to pupils ot' varying aptitudes and tastes; (b) that to enable the .system to function to the best advantage the following organisation be adopted: (1) For large towns, separate schools to be established; (2) for smaller towns a district high school to be utilised; (3) in country districts consolidation be effected and district high schools be established; (d) that provision be made for transference to the University entrance course at an early age of those children showing an academic bias; (c) that the elimination of the overlapping of courses now in operation at high schools and technical schools be effected.

In presenting the report Mr De Berry (Otago) said the question is one of the most important that the institute had had to face for many years- The first consideration they had was that of the child; the second was that of society. On clause 3 Mr Jackson moved that the word “plus” be included after the llgure 11 in relation to the primary course.

The report is still under discussion.

NEW TEXT BOOKS. ARITHMETIC AND HISTORY. NOT ENOUGH MEAT IN THEM. WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The Educational Conference carried a remit regretting that the new 7 text books in arithmetic and history arc not in accord with educational ideals. One delegate said there was not enougli meat in them for the children to chew at.