EDUCATION REFORM.

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

EDUCATION REFORM.

AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL PHASES.

U the monthly meeting of the North Canterbury Education Board on Thursday, the chairman, speaking in regard to the recommendations of the General Council . of Education, said that among the outstanding features ixi regard to agricultural and industrial education were the following:—The Council of Education considers that the scientific and practical" sides of education should be expanded, whilst not neglecting the literary side. It recommended a''course of study in agnf culture all the way from manure-study in tho primary schools to the advanced stages required' for the training of teachers of agriculture; nature-study, along^ with practical instruction in the school garden, to be included in tho syllabus of instruction in all primary ;schools; an intermediate course of ' sstudy of two or three yeax\s in a-gricul-ture to be provided in all secondary .schools, whether district high schools, technical- schools, or high- schools, the course to be both theoretical and practical: attendance to be compulsory for boys between the ages of 14 and 17;! the council holds that it is a serious blunder that boys and girls should be •able to discontinue their education "'just at the transition period when their minds and their ideas are most rapidly developing; also, that a course of study in agriculture be compulsory for every male student in attendance! at ;t technical college. Mr-W. A. Banks said that the whole question was too important for the j board to deal with at short notice. Ho thought that a sub-committee-should be set up to consider and report. Members of the board should also bo given time to consider the proposals. After several expressions of opinion hail been passed it was d^' si. Koecia-l meeting of the board on Wednesday; October 19, to consider tho. whole question.