THE TEACHERS' INSTITUTE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1953, 9 January 1914, Page 6

THE TEACHERS' INSTITUTE.

SUB-NORMAL CHILDREN. (By Telegraph— Press Association.! Auckland, January'B. The Teachers' Institute 'Congress concluded to-day. / •'. It was decided that organising teachers bo'appointed in schools—Grades .0, 1, and I —under the direction of tho inspectors; that education boards bo elected on a more popular franchise than school committees. The conference also passed tho following remits: —That more facilities he provided for training girls in domestic science; that agriculture be a subject for examination for Degrees B, B.Sc, and Junior University scholarships: that the procedure in tho Teachers Conrt of Appeal'bb reforreel back. Some pertinent remarks wero made when a remit suggesting tho establishment of special schools m largo centres for tho education of sub-normal children was undor discussion. Both tho Auckland and North Canterbury institutes had forwarded similar remits on the question. A feature of tho discussion was tho keen interest shown, in the subject by lady delegates. > On account of the Hmited time avaflable for the consideration of this and other remits, the suggestion was made that it should bo allowed to stand over until the July mooting, but this courso was strenuously opposed by Mrs. Shrewsbury (Auckland),. who said that the Medical Congress was to bo held in Fcbruarv, and it was most important that something should be dono to enlist the support of that body. Sho moved that tho Auckland Instituto should bo deputed to make an endeavour to securo this support in bringing the matter beforo tho Government. An objection to tho suggested scheme of establishing special schools was raised by Mr. 0. D. Flamank (Dunedin), who said that the sending of children to these schools would' brand them as sub-normal, and thoreforc the opposition of parents would bo roused. His idea was that a special teacher should be appointed to the staff of largo schools to- train these' defective children.

Mr. F. T. Evans (North" Canterbury) remarked that, though' under the Act -parents wero liable to punishnient'if they ..did not provide education for their sub-normal children, it was 1 ardly possible under tho present system.' ' ' \" ' "Two per. cent, of children attending the Auckland schools are sub-normal," said Miss Newman (Auckland)'. "By' sub-normal I mean that they are suffering from ; some physical or mental defect, which makes it" impossible for them to\acqtiire the instructions in the ordinary way, and it is necessary that special training should bo given them." If they were'to do anything towards securing this special training for these children, they should enlist the support of medical men and collect evidence to back up their statements. Miss E. Chaplin, B'.X. (North Canterbury) supported her confrere. It was finally agreed to'hold'over the remit,' but it was decided 'to ask headmasters to supply the evidence required and also to ask the co-operation of the Medical Congress in the" matter.