EDUCATION CHANGES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3573, 6 October 1916, Page 2

EDUCATION CHANGES.

EDUCATSON BOARD CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT.

At the meeting of the Canterbury Education Board yesterday Mr C. H. Opie made a statement in regard to the matter of differentiation of education after 12 years of age. In Britain and iv America, said the criairman, a differentiation in the system of education at or about the age of 12 years was being carried out, the general principle considered being that the pupil should at this stage be • given vocational work, preparatory to_ his> future occupation. It was claimed that the intermediates high school meets the case of those who es'pect to leave school to engage-; in work or special training. "By consultation with the teachers, with the parents, arid with the boys and' girls themselves, the course of study best adapted to the circumstances can be decided upon." ■ As against the proposal /thnt differentiation should take place about the age of 12. tfio ehainnnn stated: — 1. It is held that nrimary education as at present, extending to the Sixth Standard, is qnito necessary, as providing the minimum of elementary education. To "iiHriil <hf pupil's eenoral pdncntinn nt the WoiT-tb Standard would b*» doriYivme: liini nfthnfc education which is more important thnn any other' tyoe of education he could recotvp fit this niTP.

2. That, at present the provision made in the syllabus for manual and technical instruction ensures that training of a vocational character is given. 3. That at this stage, say, when the pupil is 11 or 12 years of ago, neither jhe nor his parents know what occupation will be most suitable for him, and that a wiser choice of occupation could be,made when the pupil's general education is further advanced. That for those who continue their education through t\\e high school course the proper time to decide on the future vocation is when the high school course terminates.

4. That to decide on the pupil's future occupation when lie is 12 years' of ago might mean that the large majority of pupils would be drafted, off into vocational schools, and thus lose the opportunity that should be afforded to all, who may be fit, to go to the high school proper, and subsequently to the university. That the adoption of this proposal, would be repugnant to the principles of the democratic spirit of our people, which prides itself on giving the fullest opportunity to every deserving pupil, be he rich, or poor, to obtain the most complete education from the primary school to the university. ! 5. Care must be taken in the differentiation of education that we do not follow the • German" system, in .which there is class distinction, one section of the people being practically condemned to be hewers of wood and drawers of water for all time, whilst opportunity for advancement is given chiefly to the upper classes. 6. That the- high, school should be open to all, and that it should be the real avenue, leading to the vocations, or professions, selected by the pupil for his life work. ,The chairman also remarked that the recommendations of the Council of Education requiring a further modernising of our high sdhool curricula, especially in the direction of industrial -education, ■ will probably do much to. meet /.tfee. views"of those who advocate intermediate schools.