SCHOOL SYLLABUS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1983, 13 February 1914, Page 9

SCHOOL SYLLABUS.

RESULTS OF INSPECTORS' CONFERENCE SCOPE FOR ORIGINAL TEACHING On his return from attending tho conference of Chief "Inspectors of Schools, hold in Wellington, at the end of last week, Mr. AV. Brock, M.A., Chief Inspector of Schools in North Canterbury, was interviewed by -a Christchurch "Press" '.representative.' Mr. Brock stated that the subjects dealt with wero medical inspection, the syllabus regulations, uniformity of method in awarding certificates .of- proficiency, schemes for grading, and the practice of boards regarding tho appointmont of teachers. The discussion of these matters toiJk placo in private, and the decisions arrived at will bo forwarded to the Minister for his consideration. The Minister's idea was, evdently, that the chief inspectors were a disinterested body from which he could receiye adylco that would be'helpful in connection with the Bill which ho intends to introduce next session. A large amount pf business was got through, and a great deal of-unanimity was shown by the inspectors on tho various matters Teferred to them. '..-., /Rule of Thumb Method. Mr. Brock dealt with'the outstanding features of the now syllabus, issued at tho beginning of the year, and promised for some considerable time. Twelve mpiiths ago, ho said, the inspectors met in conference, and proposed certain, alterations in the syllabus, as it then-existed, and the amended syllabus was forwarded to the different boards, and was also considered by the Educational Institute. The suggestions made by these bodies were taken into consideration bv' the Department before the new syllabus was issued. The new syllabus did not differ -to any great extent from the old one. Tho new-syllabus had been designed; Mr.'. Brook continued, with great care, and there was no , doubt in his mind that its effect on tho, education, in primary schools would be'far-reaching. It did away with rule-of-thumb gavo scope, for 'originality on the part'of. tho better type of' teacher, and made examination less of a fetish. The syllabus Just issued gavo more room for individuality than , the one it superseded. Its main features were greater correlation and less dividing up of subjects. This was 'especially the case in geography, which was no longer divided into courses A and B, i and both courses now ian side by side.' Observation . 'still played a prominent part, the child- being taucht to observe \ things in its own locality and'to note what had been brought about by geographical configuration, and toi deduct therefrom what was likely to hayu occurred in other countries; Tho commejroial part of the subject had been tlulv'recognised, and had- been admitted to be more important than, the mere committal to memory! of lists of names '—which were acquired by great exertion nndyery soon forgotten. • • '' Some Improvements.' ;" In tho ;new syllabus drawing had been aiifplified-very considerably; tho old conventional forms had ceased to be recognised; and the object played ian all-important part; at the same t'ms there was_ a greater, development ; of mass drawing. Though somewhat imposing in" the syllabus, the teacher was allowed to make a selection and to sketch out a syllabus/for his school, subject to j approval by the inspector. Regarding instrumental drawing, in the case of schpoljcj-iiajdng:, wood-work, it was associated where there was an absence of facilities for this, some form of constructive work, such as! cardboard work, would be required. ■" ' ';: " ' ; ;,'..--.'. .The" teaching-of' history had 1 been placed on a better footing; it was to count in granting certificates of proficiency, and no pupil would be abb to qualify, for that certificate unless ho' showed' that he had belonged to a class that 'had given satisfaction in liistory and civics, ■ '• ■ . \ Hinging, as set out in tho syllabus, was on modern lines, and gavo the teacher ample opportunity to draw up a syllabus- that -would 'materially improve the type of singing in tho schools."- ■;.' .1 . . ! . " Nature.studv was principally, nn tho lines, of the', former syllabus. In the lower"olasses it was to he of-a conversational character; in tho upper classes Reo<»riphy' would furnish riiaterial, for such a course; . . English hnd been made niore important;'without' a, rood knowledge nf English it would bn impossible to gain ft Standard VI certificate of nroScienev, The retirements in respect to snell--ing were not altered beyond -indicating' that the snelling of some words', might bo on the lines.of more modern usage, e.g., by Kuolling "programme" program, and "gramme" gram. Generally tho-tendency was to meet soma of the pronosals of the nrlvocat.es'of simplified spelling. In ..Enclish the chief; ob'ect was to be the teaching sniken Innguage - in, tho junior classes. Every effort was to bo mnde procure purity of speech, clear articulation, and, as for as -'t)n;siblc, purity of the vowel sounds nnd the ''correct use of the vocal organs. As 'regards :writintt. tho pen was not to be used in the infant classes, nnd was not expected to bo usfl till StanrWd II stnee lificl beeri." reached. The idea lyas that the softer-'point of the load pencil was easier for the somewh.it, uncleveJop"fl hand of tho young child to manipulate. "'. . '••Throughput all ■ fnhools orirnnisetl games wore ospecially in connection with-the health course.