Interpretation Of School Syllabus Discussed

Chronicle (Levin), 9 May 1949, Page 4

Interpretation Of School Syllabus Discussed

That provision be made for the interpretation of the syUabus to, emphasise the increased social and! moral reSponsibility that results, from the advance in material progress .and in particular to the application of science and technology.! This remit, passed at the recent cohferenee.of the Dominion Federation of School Committees came in for discussion at a meeting of the Horowhenua association on Thursday night. There was a need to eliminate party politics from education, said Mr. E. H. Barber. He asked by whoui and on what basis the syllabus was prepared. Mr. F. O. Burtt, headmaster of the Shannon School, said that a revision committee was set uo and evidence was inviLed from experts, laymen and anyone willing to give it. The Syllabus was then drafted accdrdingly. "We have been told to inculcate in the chfid the aualitifes of leadership and independence and a lot of us are endeavouring to do it." He mentioned as an exariiple that in the Levin school there was one class at least which was capable of carrying on its work for some hours without a teacher. "A great deal lies in the interpretation of the syllabus," continued Mr. Burtt, "That is what is worryIng the conference. Where aualities of leadership are latent in the child, we have been told to develop them. It is a big question." He tHought that the association shbuld know when the revision committees were sitting so that it could place evidence, commented Mr. V.4J. Cottle: Messrs H. F. McClune and McDonald, headtnasters of the Levin and Te Horo Schools respectively. said that they had been unab1e' to read Uhything with a political influence iif the syllabus. Mr. Cottle said this was possible but the trouble lay in the interpretation of the svllabus. Mr. Burtt remarked that in the primary schbol sy labus there was nothirig political. The cohcern was for 'Ihe higher academic spheres. The discussion was not pursued further.