EDUCATING A PEOPLE,

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18946, 16 May 1933, Page 7

EDUCATING A PEOPLE,

*»• DANISH UNIVERSITY MOVE REMARKABLE ADVANCE ACHIEVED. JUSTIFIED BY RESULTS. “The People’s University Movement and Its Influence in Denmark,” was the subject of an address delivered to Hamilton Rotarians yesterday by Mr E, J. Bror. C. Muller, of Copenhagen. Mr Muller Is a member of the New Zealand people’s University Association. Following a brief narrative of Danish affairs a century ago the speaker said . that at that time the condition, of the , Danes was deplorable, and apparently was at its lowest ebb. It was at that stage that a famous Dane, Bishop Grundt, commenced the movement which afterwards was out in .the “people’s university school." Real- . I sing that there were some ideals , which could not be measured in , pounds, shillings and pence, he set himself the task of setting his people to work on new standards. “What we have lost outwardly,” he said, “we must gain inwardly." In other words, what had been lost in productive . areas, through war, they must replace by Intensive cultivation, and their loss , in population must be made up by V spiritual growth. In education matters he’ ignored the ordinary stages of primary and secondary schools and concentrated upon the education of adults. Basis of Instruction. The form of instruction was based chiefly upon lectures, and discussion, rather than through books, and education was direoted especially to cultural subjects rather than to purely vocational subjects. There were.no examinations or tests. Those who oame to study came to acquire learning for its own sake. There were '■ now 60 to 70 of these residential x ' university schools in Denmark, and they had a yearly attendance of over 10,000 men and women. The expenses at these schools were roughly about £1 per week. The schools were privately owned and controlled. The State gave a subsidy, but had no say In the ourrlculum or administration.

' *■ •- ' \ Results Were Striking. The results were striking: Less than 100 years ago 80 per cent of the population was Illiterate. To-day the Danes were oredlted by Sir Michael Sadler, Master of University College, Oxford, with being the most deeply oultured people In Europe. Economically, too, the system had been justified. Large areas of desert heath land had been brought Into profitable occupation. One of the most interesting com- , merolal developments was. the manner In which the farmers had. formed rural saving banks, which ultimately merged their Interests into one huge co-operative financial institution. An effort had been made to introduce Into New Zealand, the leading features of the Danish people's university movement, said.the visitor, and he hoped that their efforts would be iuccessful. DOMINION SOCIETY. PEOPLE’S UNIVERSITIES. THE AIMS AND OBJECTS. The New Zealand People’s Univeriltles Association has been founded with the following purposes in view:— To awaken the adult population of New Zealand to the fullest opportunities and possibilities of noble living . and right citizenship. To stir a life-long Impulse to selftuition. To co-operate in working for the •greatest good of the greatest number In community and commonwealth life. To provide opportunities whereby ambition may be directed into spiritual channels and knowledge linked to the common necessary tasks of life. To seek to emphasise the dignity and responsibility of the primary producer and the industrial worker. To seek to establish the final values of life and destiny for individuals and nations. The objeots for which the association is established are:— 1. To establish and maintain residential colleges find institutions, in w whioh students of any age, sex, nationality, religion or political opinion may reside and study. 2. To provide for the general higher education of adults by affording Instruction in such subjects as may be decided upon from time to time by the general executive committee, of the association. 3. To establish and maintain a library or libraries of books and literature. • 4. To co-operate with other organisations in New Zealand and elsewhere in the dissemination of the principles of truth, beauty and goodness.