SCHOOL COMMISSION.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1482, 3 July 1912, Page 7

SCHOOL COMMISSION.

AT WANGANUI. NEGLECTED FUNDAMENTALS. AND OTIIER EVIDENCE. • IBy Telegraph.—Press Association.) Wanganui, July 2. The Education Commission opened its Wanganui sittings to-day. Tho first witness was Mr. W. A. Armour, principal of tho Wanganui Technical College. Ho considered that t.ho subjects comprised in the syllabus woro necessary and beneficial, but too much was crowded into tho timo at the disposal of the puiiils. As a remedy ho suggested that tno programmo for Standards IV, V, and VI should really bo a. four-years' course, instead of three, This was equivalent to, say, that there should bo foven standards, with a proficiency certificate awarded ou tho work of tho seventh. Secondary schools would then bo ablo to start as such instead of spending tho first year covering primary work. Tho mathematical geography in the primary schools was too difficult, aud should bo rcduccd. History was sadly neglected in the primary schools. It was essential to all wishing lo take an intelligent interest in the world's affairs, aud aspirants for political honours should liavo an adequate knowledge of it. Regarding mathematics the university standard was too low, and at tho schools too much time was spoilt in non-essentials Aftoi outlining the organisation and scope of tho Wanganui Teclinioal Collejjo with a viow to showing that it dealt with both secondary and technical education aa a day and evening _ institution, and without any overlapping, ho went on to say that that, part of school life which was spent out of tho classroom was rather ignored. An institution such as tho Wanganui' Technical College, combining secondary and ■ technical courses, possessed many advantages over ono purely secondary or purely technical. It enubleil vocational trc.iiiing to bo entered upon by tho lio.vs ajul Rirls tho moment they were ready for it. The training was every wliit as good as that of tiro seoondury school, t.ho possibilities of development more promising, and the equipment superior, while the schemo was so dovetailed that thero was no overlapping. In short; it obtained a higher degree of efficiency in the minimum time. Chemical laboratories in technical schools should bo so equipped as to provide practical study for application lo tho various industries. Ho believed that a reasonable amount of homework was necessary and beneficial, aud he had found that parents, taken generally, did not object io it, though there was a tendency io m'glcuf. il in favour of picture fhoivs. .Assistant tvJH-hers who, veiled compulsion, were obligod to act as Milker* ot cadets should get some monetary benefit for that duty. Elocution should form part of tho school curriculum.

Mr. G. Crow, instructor of engineering at the Technical College, detailed proposals for instruction in various trades. Pupils should bo encouraged to take an interest, in their trades outside tho classroom. Tho instructors should take them out and explain any public works which were being undertaken in tho neighbourhood. He found that his students, though bright and intelligent, were, very backward in arithmetic. Tho -college was doing useful ■ work in turning out mochanios, and bo advocated tho establishment of scholarships in engineering. Mr. C. T. Cox, commcrcial instructor at the Technical College, 6«id that tho .gTouuding in arithmetic was not what i should be. Ho found that his > students were at first unable to odd either accurately or quickly, and this hindered progress in 6pocialiscd course, as it meant that tho primary work had to bo revised. , . , Mr. D. H. Clark, instructor m manual work at the Technical College, defended that subject from tho chargo that it was unnecessary "frill." He gave evidence with a view to showing its yatuo, both per so and bearing on other subjects in the school course. D. MacFarlane, president of the Wnuganui Chamber of Commerce, advocated swimming and life-saving being made cotnpulsorv. As a business man, lie testified to the need fur improvement in writing. Copy-buoks should be dispensed with alter Ihe first standard, and the writing thereafter allowed to develop on more natural lines. At present there was practically no instruction in writing in secondary schools. Messrs. James Aitken and J. Jl. Lmv submitted remit-) passed by the Wanganui branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute. Among tho recommendatwtis were the following:—(1) That the expenses ol the removal of teachers Horn one district to another be borne bv the State; (2) that the number uf holidays in the jear should bn euualised throughout the Dominion; (M) (lint tin* Junior National Scholarships and Fdncatiun Board Scholarships should bn done «way with, and (lie money so saved devoted to the payment of the boarding expenses of those pupils who come liighM in the list of junior tree place examinations, nnd who require (o live awny from home to attend a secondary -chool or district high school: It) that the numW of board* of education should Ix* rerJocedi (fl) that »duratiiiu hnnvd* jhoulil bp (tiedjad. oa tin Parlitumutaxx, lonir.liiftft.