DOMESTIC SCIENCE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2990, 30 January 1917, Page 9

DOMESTIC SCIENCE

A STUDY FOR GIRLS SUGGESTIONS BY MINISTER OF EDUCATION. Speaking to a Dominion reporter yesterday, the Minister of Education (tho Hon. J. A. Hanan) expressed_ warm approval of the action of tho University Senate, taken on his representations, regarding the encouragement of tho Bfcudy of domestic science in tlib secondary schools. He believed that tho attention given by the Senate to this and other practical phases of education would tend to stimulate interest in higher education. Tho importauco of domestio scienco had been impressed upon him in his examination of the Dominion's education system, and ho had urged in a memorandum presented to Parliament that as far as practicable all girls in secondary schools should bo taught tho subject in a practical way. The Minister also expressed approval of themethod suggested by tho Senate Committee for encouraging tho study of domostio science. Each girl candidate for matriculation or for the intermediato examination should, be required to present a certificate .stating that she had completed a satisfactory course in domestic science. The subject was one that did not lend itsolf readily to test by examination, and' he regarded this really as an advantage, since it would tend to give a practical turn to the training. The Minister suggested that girls should bo allowed some concession in consideration of their proficiency in domestic science. The subjecb 'was already an optional one for matriculation, sq that any girl might include _it in her subjects ;for that. examination. The Senato might reach the desired end either "by making the subject a compulsory one for girls or by _giving' some allowance or compensation to those who followed tho course but did not take the subject for examination.

The Minister offered the opinion that if any claims for making Latin or mathematics compulsory could' be urged, a doubly strong claim could bo put forward on behalf of domestic fscienoo as far as girls were concerned. Education aimed at enabling peoplo to enter into the fullest and most fruitful relations with their best possible environment. Surely there could bo no possible doubt of the necessity for including in over? girl's education some domestic training which would enable her to, appreciate fully and to..mako the most skilful and 1 earnest ijso of the home in which she would find her noblest development and opportunities. "If any further argument is needed," added Mr. Hanan, "let anyone take the various subjects on the matriculation syllabus and indicate any one subject that for girls should displace domestic, science."