EDUCATION MADE “TOO EASY”

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 110, 22 February 1950, Page 6

EDUCATION MADE “TOO EASY”

VIEWS OF BLENHEIM HEADMASTER “SENSE OF ENDEAVOUR” LACKING TO-DAY (P.A.) BLENHEIM, February 21. There was less truancy in the schools nowadays, but the reason was because school was “such a lovely place” where the children could do just about what they wanted to do without having to play truant. This view of modern education was given in an address by Mr W. S. Pratt, who retired recently after 15 years as headmaster of the Blenheim School. When he went to school, said Mr Pratt, children could do sums, they could spell and they could read. Teachers then strove to have 100 per cent, passes in the proficiency examinations, and they tried to do it by sheer drive and cram, which went on until matriculation.

What happeifed to-day? he asked. A five-year-old child went to school, and had his little chair to sit on and his mat to lie on when he was tired. He saw films and at “physical education” played games he would normally play in his own free time. ‘ You do not dare teach them sums or spelling,” said Mr Pratt. “In the standards they do a little number work and they do their free art. They splash a little paint he’re and they splash it there. That is their ‘expression.’

‘That-.is what is wrong with education —it is too easy. There should be •some sense nl endeavour.” Mr Pratt said lie was against the rereturn to the old type of examination cram, but he thought there should be some system, betw- en the old and the >ew, winch would revive the sense o? endeavour and, the desire to achieve which seemed to be lacking to-day.