The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26. 1889. EDUCATIONAL REFORM.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2264, 26 October 1889, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26. 1889. EDUCATIONAL REFORM.

Mr J. Q. Wilson, the member for Foxton, is a very earnest educational reformer. Two or three sessions ago, it will be remembered, he moved for and obtained the appointment of a Parliamentary Committee which presented an interim report, but had not time to complete the important work entrusted to it. Mr Wilson, however, is not of those who, having entered upon an enterprise, is discouraged by difficulties, and he is still earnestly endeavoring to bring about reform m connection with the working of our public school system. He has recently addressed a circular on the subject to the various Education Boards, m which he expresses the opinion that there are many mistakes m the present syllabus, particularly as regards the relative time devoted to the several subjects of instruction. He urges that, m addition to reading, writing and arithmetic, drawing should be made one of the premier subjects. |Ie says — " It (drawing) does not receive anything like the proportion i ate amount of time, which from its im- | portance to the future welfare of the l pupil, it ought to receive. It is the basis of all technical education. No matter what the pupil is destined for, drawing taught m the proper way is of the utmost importance. It is of great service as a mental training ; it forms an agreeable interlude to the other lessons, and can be taught by any of tbe present schoolmasters, if they have an opportunity (as they ought to have) of being taught m a proper school." Then he urges that singing, on the Tonio Sol-fa

system shonld also be given prominence,

and that science, as taught m the higher classes " should have relation to the

pursuits likely to be followed by the majority of the pupils, suoh as mineralogy for the mining districts, agriculture and dairying for the farming districts," xj.e also urges tbat drill should form a part of every day's work, pointing out " that discipline m schools m a country where discipline is lax is beneficial." Girls, he thinks, "should be taught the use of clubs if there are no other gymnastic exercises possible," and he very properly insists that " every encouragement should be given by all connected with education to the good old English out-door games, which our public sohool boys seem sadly deficient v}J f He is of opinion that " the subjects of geography, grajpmar^ history, etc., reoeive far too much time at present {-^latively to their importance," and recommeu.! 1 **•»' tne syllabus '"should allow of much t_:o. re discretionary power being given to the Insp'.?tow " than is the oase at present. These views we think, be largely sympathised with by the public, and it is tp be hoped that the proposal of Mr Wilson, that the replies ofthe several Boards to the circular under notice should be submitted to a conference, with a view to formulating such amendments to the syllabus as will give effect to such suggestions as may be approved of, will be carried out.