U.S. EDUCATIONISTS VISIT

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31111, 14 July 1966, Page 16

U.S. EDUCATIONISTS VISIT

At a cut-rate individual cost of 2395 dollars for the whole trip, the 87 members of the Comparative Education Society of the United States now in Christchurch are visiting New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, New Delhi, Israel, and Jordan. Several have already been on up to five such tours and plan more.

“How do they afford it?” was a question asked at the White Heron Lodge last evening. “It’s relatively easy for the women and hard for the men,” replied the director of the tour (Dr. Gerald Read). “Women educators, on equal pay with men, are comparatively affluent, particularly if they are married and have the advantage of two salaries. The men have home costs, family ties, and other obligations.

That explains why there are only 12 men In this party.” Sexes apart, the large party is representative of all levels of university teaching, junior colleges and high schools, and elementary institutions. Dr. Read said these touring seminars were popular chiefly because of meticulous longterm planning by the Comparative Education Society, in which he was formerly secretary, treasurer, and editor.

“A tour is laid on about a year ahead,” said Dr. Read. “One of us makes an exploratory trip to seek co-operation. The host countries then send us list of background books, background information, and other material which we duplicate and send to all taking part. They study it for nearly a year and some take university courses on the area. “Preference is given to long-standing members of the society, then to women in the Delta Kappa Gamma Society (to which members are elected only after distinguished service to education), and then others interested are ad-

mitted. In this way,” said Dr. Read, “we get a representative and influential crosssection who will lecture widely on what they have done and seen.” This is the first time New Zealand has been included. Dr. Read is sure there will be more such visits here “but not too often because you cannot expect your education services to do every year what they have done now. Nowhere have I ever experienced such magnificent cooperation.”

Dr. Read said the fruits of such trips were a wealth of talks, lectures, and picture shows in home counties, many study papers, research theses, and even university degrees. “It also means international understanding for us and for those we visit of our common educational aims, achievements, and problems,” said Dr. Read. “The South Pacific interests us greatly.” The party has a heavy programme in Christchurch. Yesterday they received a Maori welcome at the airport and were briefed by the Regional Superintendent Of Education (Mr S. S. P. Hamilton), who heads a host committee of Education Department, Education Board, Teachers’ College, and infant, primary, and secondary school representatives. The party then lunched at the “Sign of the Takahe,” made field studies from vantage points on the Port hills, toured the central city area, and was given a civic reception. In the early evening the South Island Publicity Asso-

ciation gave a reception and presented members with certificates of “Freedom of the South Island" and tourist literature. Later there was a seminar at their hotel on the New Zealand school system led by Christchurch officials.

Today the party will divide into small groups to visit primary and secondary State and private schools in Christchurch and all members will attend a special service in the Cathedral at 5 p.m. This evening they will be guests in private homes. Tomorrow, in three buses, the Americans will see town and country and model schools in the Rangiora and Darfield areas, joining for drives round the Waimakariri and Ashley gorges. Saturday will be devoted to field studies in the Lewis Pass and Hanmer Springs area, including a visit to “Glynn Wye” station. Some members will make a 1 scenic flight to Mount Cook. In the evening all will attend the concert of the Christchurch School of Instrumental Music. After church services on Sunday and visits to private homes, the party will leave by air. Inspecting a school art display set up at the White Heron Lodge are (left to right): Dr. E. I. F. Williams, aged 80, of Tiffin, Ohio, who was formerly editor of “Educational Forum”; Dr. F. Kring, dean of men at Grove City College, Pennsylvania, who is deputydirector of the tour; and Dr. Gerald Read, director.