MATAMATA.

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19564, 1 May 1935, Page 3

MATAMATA.

BUB-NORIYIAL CHILDREN

K meeting or primary school committeemen. whose children attend the Matainata District High -School, avas held in the High School on Monday evening, Mr A. M. A. AVrlght being In Ihe chair. He explained that the meeting had been called primarily to discuss the education or the sub-normal child. lie said that at the. present time It was possible that teachers could be appointed, who (had special qualifications and whoso duties would he lo watch individual cases and assist lhc child where necessary. Mr S. Mockidge, Turanga-o-moana, deprecated the mass romiation teaching of to-day and said that the child to-day In many cases avas'not titled for this style or tuition. He considered that a special teacher should be provided hi the High School, Avhose duty would he to help the sub-normal child along. Mr 11. Rollett, Perla, said it was a delicate but necessary matter which must be approached in such a way that there would he no reflection on the child. Mr G. G. Griffiths, Matainata, said it was not the teachers who were to blame hut the system. Teachers had to get results and' their grading marks, but the system a,s denned by the educational authorities was out oi' date and unsuitable Tor the times.

Mr Wright remarked that this was a question which would alfect the people tor generations.

Several speakers referred to nervousness displayed by children of relurned soldiers and said the aftei’-elfects of the war were world wide on the generation born since.

The following resolution was carried unanimously and l,s to he rorwarderi to the Minister of Education, with a covering letter giving concrete instances or what Is happening in tho district: —“ That this meeting of committee men from schools In the Matainata district considers that the war strain undergone by parents has accentuated a position which should have lhc Immediate attention of the Government, In that a great many children or such parents arc suffering-hereby as a result of mass teaching by not being physically lined to compete on even terms along the old lines. This meeting suggests that as a remedy Ihe Government give urgent consideration lo the question or appoint-* log specially qualified teachers lo go from class to class In the larger schools, giving a personal touch In coaching such children.'’

The Minister of Education is to he asked to Investigate Hie position In regard lo capital ion grams will! a view lo bringing all high schools on the same basis and increasing primary school grants. 1 ‘. .iioo that a primary school-,’ com-

..iiler association tic. rormed In the dts trlct xvas carried unanimously.