THE BACKBLOCKS SCHOOL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1198, 5 August 1911, Page 14

THE BACKBLOCKS SCHOOL.

A PROBLEM IN EDUCATION.

„" r ° r -Kara past" (remarks Mr. Hill. Chief Inspector in tho Haivko's Bay district, in. his report) "my mind has been exercised-as to what ought to be done to help tho small country teacher so as to encourage him in his work and benefit districts whoso isolation is naturally detrimental to social, industrial, and intellectual progress. Latterly tho position lias become more acute, owing to the large increase in the number of what aro termed "household schools.' These schools are conducted in a way that appears to me unsatisfactory. No household school ou"ht to bo recognised unless the parties concerned undertake to present all children above Standard II for examination at the nearest public school at the time of an inspector's annual visit, and the teacher should accompany them to receive instructions, test registration, and gain some information into the working of a public school. But even this plan is not sufficient. The isolated teacher wants to sec '. school worked similar to his own, and ho wants to know what is meant by systematic instruction in tho preparation of subjects. Most of the teachers in isolated districts havo plenty of intelligence, but they have had no training, and aro merely appointed because of certain academic qualifications. Nor can it bo expected under our present industrial conditions that certificated teachers will bo found willing to accept a wage that is little I more than a 'living wage,' although thenlives are sjicnt away from all those forms of social lite that help to make work pleasurable, as well as agreeable. Assuming, then, that for years to come small country schools will bo placed in clvirgo of untrained, and, in the main, uncertificated teachers, the question arises as to the course open that will best help the teachers themselves, the children placed under them, and the districts concerned, without incurring heavy expenditure on the Education Hoard or the country. I do not think that the appointment of a teacher to visit every household and outlying country school would bring about efficiency. A teacher in a household school with two children needs association, emulation, and a broadening of ideas, and it seems to me that the future control of schools must have in view tho meeting of teachers in specified centres at the time of an inspector's visit. Questions could be discussed, views expressed, and points determined bearing directly on tho education of children and tho fciture efficiency of schools. To help the isolated teachers, I recommend that following the completion of. an inspector's visit to a district such as the East Coast, tho schools bo closed for, say, ten days, except the ono selected as a centre. In the case named,'To Puia or Waipiro Bay would i

bo the centre. To this centre all teachers would bo required to attend, as at n winter school for teachers," Summarised, Mr. Hill's scheme" is as follows :— (1) That teachers in charge of household schools and oi* schools in outlying districts rcceivo a special course ot training for. ten days following tho completion ot the inspector's visit to a special district next year. (2) That all teachers within 0 special district be required lo attend at a centre to bo named. (3) That (hey undergo a course of training to include:— (a) Methods of teaching the essential subjects of the curriculum. (b) Methods to adopt in disciplinary movements, drawing up schemes of work, marking registers, and making returns. (c)' Methods to adopt in nature study, singing, and elementary gardening and agriculture. (d) How lessons should be prepared by teachers. (e) Model • lessons by the inspector. (4) That the travelling expenses of such teachers be paid out of the special grant for "training teachers," or out.of supplementary grant that mav be payable on application to tho Minister for Education. Tho whole cost was net estimated to reach a hundred pounds, whilst there would be far ; reaching benefits that would vastly outweigh so small an expenditure. Mr. Hill s report is now under consideration,