THE EMBODIMENT OF THE VOLUN TARY PRINCIPLE IN EDUCATION.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2525, 28 July 1915, Page 5

THE EMBODIMENT OF THE VOLUN TARY PRINCIPLE IN EDUCATION.

Sir, —In the world struggle now taking place two opposing principles appear in marked contrast as ideals of world empire. The voluntary principle is to some extent embodied;by the British in their institutions, whilst Germany seems to be pervaded by the spirit, of coercive militarism. If the voluntary : principle bo right, then the problem is: How can it be nurtured so that ifc-m'ay pervado all phases of national life? Clearly the answer is: By education. Many writers .from Eousseau down to Spencer and Tolstoi have clearly enunciated the ideal of self-expression as being the essential of right education. Yet none have developed a clearly-defincd method of putting their ideas into practice. Recently this had been accomplished by Dr. Maria Montessori with an astonishing degree of success in the training of young children. Not only in Italy has its success been so marked, but also in America, _ Switzerland, ■ and Britain, where it is'equally effective with the children of the slums or those born in the mansions of nobility. How far is New Zealand lagging behind the leading nations ill tho educational world?— I am, etc., J. GRIFFITHS. Johnsonville. •