NATIONAL EFFICIENCY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16165, 20 March 1918, Page 8

NATIONAL EFFICIENCY.

THE EDUCATION ENQUIRY

Tho enquiry before the Canterbury Commissioner (Mr J*- A. Frostick) on the National Efficiency Board into matters relating to the national system of education, was opened at 11 a.m. yesterday. For some time prior to the formal opening of tho enquiry the Com-missioner-has been collecting evidence. The evidence given yesterday dealt almost exclusively with the'kindergarten system as it obtains in this country and in comparison with tho same system in other countries. Evidence will be sought from Chicago and other places where this system of training lias been placed upon a scientific basis, and co-ordinated with the primary system. The necessity for physical and moral training was very strongly emphasised. The details in connexion with this and other questions cannot be made public until the Board, is in a position to review all the evidence and make its report. Evidence has also been taken with regard to tho necessity for linking-up every form of instruction; that the .qualifications of teachers should be assured, and, in some cases, the standard considerably raised. The necessity was pointed out for co-ordination between the various systems through which any student can pass, in order to prevent overlapping, and the whole national scheme brought into line with the latest approved methods, particularly with regard to that period between the passing of the sixth standard and the secondary, technical schools, and workshops. The extent of the enquiry, it appears, is not fully understood by some of the public. The scope of the enquiry takes in practically all matters relating to every form and branch of national in- , struction, and includes kindergarten teaching, primary, secondary, technical, ■ and universitv education.