COUNTRY SCHOOLS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 869, 15 July 1910, Page 6

COUNTRY SCHOOLS.

SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS. HIGHER COST, LOWER EFFICIENCY. «■ Emphatic complaints concerning tho primary schools in country districts were made at yesterday morning's sitting of tho Dominion Conference of tho Farmers' Union. ■ Mr. Stewart (Otago) moved: "That tho Government bo asked to consider tho disadvantages which country school children are under, with tho present syllabus of the Education Department, with a view to its amendment." Tho mover explained that in schools of a certain griide, which included the majority of country schools, composition, grammar, history, and ' geography were not taught unless the teacher chose to teach them., Incompetent Teachers. Mr. H. J. Middlctpn (Southland) urged that tho country school teachers were uncertificated, and not competent to classify their pupils. AVe were spending more and more money on education, and getting less and less for it. If the teachers were better qualified, the system of sending pupils to the centres for examination could be abandoned. It was agreed to take the following Southland motion with the one ■ already moved: "That a strong protest be made 1 against tho injustice of the present system of compelling pupils in ,the Sixth Standard in the country schools to attend at the various centres for examination." Colonel D'Arcy Chaytor (Marlborough) supported both motions. -i Mr. J. Lane (Hawke's Bay) advocated medical inspection of school children. Alleged Unfair/Influence. Mr. 1". G. Horrell (North Canterbury) related whal had been. done in his district. with some success, to secure the adoptio'n of examination in the schools where the children were taught. Many of the country schools were under lady teachers, - and pressure was brought to bear , upon them to put forward certain children. Mr. M'Arthur (Milton) supported the motion. . That "Twang." The president (Mr.. J. G. Wilson). supported Mr. J., Lane's plea for medical inspection of school children. Tho nasal twang among the. children, which was sometimes complained of,, was due to adenoids or enlarged tonsils, which nced£d treatment. Mr. E. Lane (Hawke's Bay) said it was astounding that such subjects as grammar, etc., should be optional. Mr. J.-Talbot (Timaru) said the educational system in the country districts had gone back.' . ' - Mr. A. Schmitt (Clevedon) supported the demand -for medical inspection in schools. Medical Inspection . Demanded,. The following addition to tho motions was made on the suggestion of the president:— "That efforts be made to have children attending schools medically examined." Mr. Middleton, replying on the debate, stated that -in 1893, Otago presented IGOI pupils for the Sixth Standard examination, and 91 per cent, of them passed. In 1008, .1003 pupils were presented for the same standard, and only 50 per cent., passed. , ' . Both motions were carried as one, with the addition given above. Other Resolutions. The conference, also resolved:— ' . "That the Education Act be amended, so that all boards of education shall be able to control. tlieir teachersr 11 - "Tliat the conference is gratified to see the Minister's statement that the. grants to school .'committees are to be restored, and trusts it will be on tho old. basis."-