ADULT EDUCATION

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20420, 10 February 1938, Page 11

ADULT EDUCATION

NEEDED IN HAMILTON STATE’B PLANS FOR FEILDINQ FIRST PROPOSED BY MR FRASER In referring to the proposals announced by the Minister of Education, the Hon. P. Fraser, for an experiment to be instituted in Feilding for an adult educational scheme. Mr W. Fraser, principal of tho Hamilton Technical College, said at the meetinar of the college Board of Managers last evening. that as far back as the 1936 school year he had advocated a similar system for adoption in New Zealand. He thought that, now the matter had been brought to a head in the south, It was an opportune time to press for the system being instituted in Hamilton. which, in his opinion, was one of the most suitable centres in the Dominion for experiments with the principle. Mr Fraser explained that th<* Minister had stated that the headmaster of ] the Feilding Agricultural High School, i Mr L. .1. Wild, had recently visited the United States. *.rrat Britain .and . parts of Europe, paying particular it ! tention to Denmark and Its folk 1 schools. The headmaster of th** j Rangiora High School, Mr Strarhan. was abroad carrying out a similar ] course of study, and Mr H. C. D. ; Somerset, of the Oxford District High j School, had returned to the Dominion j after making similar Investigations. | The Director of Education. Mr N. T. | Lambourne, and the Minister would very shortly discuss the experiment It was proposed to institute in Feilding. A Lecturer It was proposed, continued the principal, that Mr Somerset should go to Feilding to undertake the supervision of adult education work, not only of the Workers’ Educational Association, but of the Women’s Division of the Farmers* Union. Wonfen’s Institutes, British Drama League and all other organisations of the kind, which were doing such a wonderful work in the country to-day. Mr Somerset would, it was hoped, organise a series of lectures, not only in Feilding. but in the district round about. Domestic science, dramatic and other classes could be formed, and when an important lecturer came along the various classes could assemble to hear him. Mr Fraser told the board that in 1936 he had forecast the raising of the school leaving age. which then was 15 years of ace. and he had advocate 1 IS years of age as the earliest that a pupil should cease his school education. In country districts such as Hamilton th*» rural children lost contact with education on leaving school, and did not have an opportunity to attend night school. That is why Mr Fraser had. two years ago. advocated that lectures in the country districts should be instituted so as to provide city opportuiities for country people. Suitability for Hamilton Mr Fraser said that lie considered Hamilton, and the board in particular should request a supervisor being placed in the Hamilton district so that country lectures could be developed here.

“This district is absolutely ready, and the most suitable in New Zealand for an experiment of that nature. It would mean a great deal of good if a move were made In that direction,” said Mr J. Treloar. It was decided to make the request to the Minister for a scheme similar to the one proposed for Feilding being extended to the Waikato, with Hamilton as the centre.