IMPROVED WRITING STYLE URGED FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 100, 20 February 1950, Page 4

IMPROVED WRITING STYLE URGED FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Adoption of a uniform style of handwriting in primary schools and a uniform method of teaching it throughout the Dominion is urged in a report on primary school handwriting issued by a school revision committee. Revised Syllabus The committee was established by the Education Department to revise the existing syllabus in handwriting for primary schools. “Agreement as to the major weakness in current New Zealand school handwriting is so complete that it is necessary only to state what they are,” the committee's report says.

Defects widely manifest throughout the primary school stage according to the committee, are la'k of ease and speed in production. Subsequently, it contends, the increased speed demanded by circumstances for the levels of adolescent and adult life results in a general deterioration in form, to such an extent that illegibility and unattractiveness become common defects in the writing done. The committee, recommending the introduction of a uniform style of handwriting throughout the Dominion, suggests the style should be printscript in preparatory division, and modified Palmer-MacLean in the standard classes. Due attention should also be accorded the problems of teaching the left-handed child, the committee reports. “Rythmic Production”

The essential qualities of good writing, the reports says are “easy, rhythmic production, beauty and legibility in form, and reasonable speed in execution.” Personnel of the committee which undertook the investigation were the assistant senior inspector of schools, Auckland, Mr Campbell Boyle, the inspector of schools, Wellington, Mr J. F. Bell, the infant mistress of Waterloo School, Miss R. I. Battersby, the inspector of schools, New Plymouth, Mr B. Pinder, and the principal of the Macandrew Intermediate School, Mr A. M. Davidson.