THE SCHOOL JOURNAL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1785, 25 June 1913, Page 10

THE SCHOOL JOURNAL.

; AND SCHOOL READERS. / How expert educationists would view the total or partial supersession of tho ordinary reading books in schools is a matter for conjecture, but a move looking that way was seriously proposed at tho meeting of the Wellington Education Board yesterday. It took the form of a motion by Mr. Moss as follows:— "That this board suggest to the Minister for Education tho advisability of. extending the usefulness of the 'School Journal,' so that it may take the place of the standard and special readers." Mr. Moss stated that, since he had been a member of the board, he had been making- inquiries regarding the reading matter in tho schools, and lie had come to liie conclusion tliat the utility of tho "School Journal" could be largely extended. Tho books which embodied the present reading matter (exclusive of tho "School ..Journal") were expensive for taxpayers and parents. The "School Journal" cost the Department about.,£23oo per year, but parents in tho Dominion paid three times that amount for standard and special readers. The cost to pai'ents nowadays was very considerable, aaid tho speaker went on to contend that this expense would bo minimised if the lino which his motion indicated were adopted. He thought that tho Journal could bo improved, by introducing such matters of interest as agricultural and "present day"

topics. Mr. J. G. AV. Aitken seconded the motion. He agreed with a good deal of what Mr. Moss Jiad said, but he did not entirely agree with doing away with tho standard and special readers. If the board decided to confine the reading in the schools to Such matter as was contained in the "School Journal," it would probably have tho effect of narrowing and confining the minds of the children. He thought that that would bo a great mistake. He had a feeling that the children were learning too much of the "present day," and not enough about tho "past." Sir: Fleming (senior,inspector) expressed tlio opinion that it would be a mistake to confine the reading to tho "School Journal." He mentioned the matter of continuous readers, and stated that there was a likelihood of the Department in the future supplying such readers, and so relieving the parents to some extent. If tho scope of the "Journal" were extended, ho saw certain possibilities that it would deteriorate. It would, lie thought, bo tetter to leave the "Journal" alone, as it was improving every year. In conclusion, he l'emarked that it would bo inadvisable' to ,ask tho Government to extend tho scope of tho "Journal" just now.

Sir. A. W. Hogg did not consider it advisable to pass the resolution in its present form. At present tho "Journal" was looked upon as a work almost invaluable. It was a periodical which reflected great credit upon those responsible for it. There was, however, no doubt that it could be made more interesting. Mr. R. Lee (chairman) commended Mr. Moss for bringing the matter up, but he did not think that it was desirable' to make nnv recommendations to the Department just now. The "Journal" was improving, and it contained very valuable matter. Mr. Moss amended the motion by striking out all the words after "Journal." It then read: "That this board suggest to the Minister for Education the advisability of extending the usefulness of the 'School Journal.'" In this amonded form tho. motion wis carried.