EDUCATION.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1687, 1 March 1913, Page 10

EDUCATION.

THE INSPECTOR'S CONFERENCE CHANGES FORESHADOWED. Mr. A. J. Morton, 8.A., inspector of schools for tho Westland district, returned to Jlokitika a few days ago alter having attended tho conference of inspectors recently held in Wellington. In conversation with a press representative, Mr. Morion stated that tho recent triennial contereiice.ot inspectors was Uio beventli held in tne Dominion. Ol about tiity inspectors present only some liuuiluaun una ucienueil ali the coiiterences, and lio was one of these. iNaturaily, Uuimg tlio twenty years many changes had tnnen place, anu on tlio present occasion tho number or new faces was noticeable, wliilo several. prominent educationists were missing. £<o lewer than tluee mspec r tors present at the conference had served as teacliorsin Westland, and these wero Dr. Al'iiwraith and Jllessrs. J. li. GUI and D, A. Strachau.

Although the conference dealt witn many matters of importance, Mr. Morton stated that tho report of the Commission ol iiducation ami the syllabus were Hie principal questions discussed. Tho wodihcations in tho syllabus ho did not teel disposed to discuss, as the draft was marked "Uonhdenlial," but he believed that tho new syllabus would como into operation early next year. Betoro being issued, the syllabus will be submitted to the consideration of education boards, and thb Teachers' institute. AVJien iii.ally auopted it will be found to contain valuable now features in the direction ol easing the burden of teachers, and at tlio same time of allowing wider scope for the adoption of methods adapted to the mental growth of the pupils. It will be in a uiucn clearer form, tne requirements will be definitely stated, anil will be separated from suggestions und ndvisory statements. It. will bo found that the grouping of classes and the teaching of history will bo awarded greater prominence,

Some recommendations ot tho inspectors were in the direction of reduction 'n connection with clerical work in, returns, periodical examinations by the teacners, and competitive examinations for scholarships. ' .Expression was also given to the dilhculty in schools outside the la'get centres of obtaining qualified teachers, tho remedies suggested being the granting of further facilities to teachers to quality ior certificates, the establishment of u claim by'the smaller districts on tho services of students who have passed through training colleges, tho requirement of service in country districts before appointment in towns, and lurther encouragement by increase of salaries of some of the smaller schools.

Some prominence was given to tho question of kindergarten schools. Mr. Morton is of the opinion that Chis matter is not an urgent one in a district like Westland, but in a large town tho opportunity for play and observance of nature in the case of young children was greatly limited. A considerable number of mothers, further, are engaged in occupations during the day, and a school for young children is serviceable. Under the conditions existing in this district, the children are better out of school until they reach tho age of five years, and in the case of weakly children until they are older. The methods adopted in the primary schools, in the preparatory classes, and in-tho lower standards, are largely based by the principles embodied in kindergarten teachers, and tho fondness for school lifo exhibited by tho junior classes furnishes evidence that strain is absent and natural interest excited until the pupils.are .'old enough to enter tho preparatory classes of the primary course; tho parent, under ordinary conditions, is the best teacher. ' .

Mr. Morton went on to say that while the recommendations of the Education Commission could not be completely considered, tho proposal to ooinbino some education districts found general favour. The conference did, not agree with tho limitation to our districts, but was distinctly in. favour of amalgamation. Willi referenco to several of the smaller districts, in Mr. Morton's opinion tho question is wmowhat- complex, on the geographical mid. industrial conditions suggested; for instance, one district included an area from tho Westport district to tho southern extremity of Westland; oh the other hand, the tdicliers of Westland would be better served with reference to promotions and training by inclusion with Canterbury. As similar complications will present themselves in other parts of tho Dominion, any alterations in tho immediate future is doubtful.

Mr. Morton was asked whether the question ■of tho introduction of Bible reading or teaching into tho schools received consideration, and replied that it was not raised in any form, as it was regarded as.outsido tho soopo of the, conference. While he himself offered no opinion, ho expressed regi'et that in connection with the movement there should have occurred any attempt to belittle the value of the moral training already given to the scholars. Such action is quite unnecessary.

Asked whether he had anything to say in reply to the condemnation levelled at the present system of education by tho Medical Conference, Mr. Morton said that so far as compulsion and fear were concerned, there was very little of that now, and tho strap was to all intents and purposes a relio of tho past. He did not approve of the "Montassori" method of spontaneous education, and likened it to a fad, and certainly impracticable under tho present system, and with tho present staffing of schools it was impossible to develop the individual, for the simple reason that many of tho schools in New Zealand were what he termed "sole contror schools," and many teachers had to instruct all the children, from the infant olass up to the sixth standard, so that it was easily seen that the application of Dr. Montessori's methods, win oh meant the development' of the individual as a separate and 6elf-controlled entity, was an impossibility.