EDUCATION REFORM

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3017, 2 March 1917, Page 6

EDUCATION REFORM

IMPORTANT PROPOSALS

SCHOOL INSPECTORS' CONFER ENCE.

Important proposals lor the improveriiuni of iN'ew Zealand's education system wero considered at a conference of senior school inspectors in Wellington last week. The proposals relate- to the prinmry schools syllabus, methods of instruction, and the arrangements for inspection and examination. The conference had before it suggestions drafted by the Director and Assistant-Direc-tor of Education on lines indicated by the Minister of Education (Hon. J. A. Hanan), who has personally inspected schools throughout New Zealand during the last eighteen months. Inspectors were present from all parts of Now Zealand, and their deliberations extended over several days.

The regulations relating to the preparatory division were considered to he satisfactory by the conference, both as to methods of instruction and range of work. Some amendments were suggested in the treatment of several subjects in tho junior and senior divisions. It was the general opinion of the conference that the regulations concerning drawing and freehand work were not sufficiently explicit. The inspectors suggested that the work should be. more clearly defined, and that the syllabus should contain specimen courses. The conference decided to recommend, in connection with the 6yllabus, that children should be taught as much formal grammar as was required to secure intelligent comprehension of tho structure of sentences they read, speak, or write. The programme of grammar to secure that end should bo set out more explicitly than in the present syllabus, and more emphasis should be laid upon the extension of the vocabulary of the pupils, particularly in toe upper standards. The inspectors were of opinion that the spelling programme should he based on the words that should be used by the children in speech and in writing, rather than on words contained in miscellaneous readers.

With reference to writing, the conferenco resolved that a fair standard of neatness and legibility should bo maintained right through the class work in all subjects, that in each district uniformity of style should be required, and that no system of writing should Le permitted that was not calculated to produce fluency and legibility. In a discussion regarding "tho teaching of geography, reference was made to a lack of continuity often observed in the schools. It was considered by tho conference ill at the programme of instruction should show that a general sequence had been observed throughout the school. The conference was strongly of opinion that the principles of continuity and sequence should apply to all the subjects' in which tho teachers were authorised by tho syllabus to prepare programmes. The list of history subjects was considered to bo unsatisfactory in some respects, and the conference adopted a proposal that a more appropriate programme should bo substituted.

After discussi.ua; tho general form of the revised syllabus, the conference decided to suggest io the Minister that the lirranjrenieiit adopted in tho Victorian and Now South Wales codes should be considered, and that specially important directions should be printed in rliS'orent type.

Tho conference gave somo attention to tha. Sixth Standard examination and certificates. Thoro was a unanimous opinion that only one Sixth Standard certificate should bo issued, and that the- Education Act should be amended to enable this to bp done. Tlio conference further recommended that the privileges to he attached to- tho certificate should be indicated by endorsement by the inspector.

Dealing with the certificates at present issued, the conference recommended that the proficiency certificate should admit to the liigli schools, district high' schools, and technical schools, and that the competency certificate should admit to the district high schools and technical schools, without the right of transfer to the high schools. Tho inspectors were of opinion that- certificates of competency should replace certificates of proficiency, as tho qualification for appointment t>i certain positions in tho Public Service.

The conference agreed upon certain methods to be adopted in tlio conduct of Standard VI examinations.- A discussion took place- as tn the nature of the tests to be given to StanaarilYl pupils in English and arithmetic, and tlio time to be allowed, 'llie conference made a series of suggestions with the object of securing uniformity throughout the Dominion in these matt-ers. Another subject discussed was the relations, between the inspectors and the education boards. The Director of Education indicate?! that the Department would issue definite instructions to the senior inspectors on this point, and that tho number and form of inspectors' reports would sllso lie bid down with the approval of ths Minister. The director mentioned also that the Department "vould probably issue direct-ion's to the inspectors as t<j the topics that were to bo included in (heir anininl reports.

The conference adopted a series of motions on the subice; of tho training of pupil teachers and the giving of 'assistance to inexperienced and tir.eertifioated toachors.

It was suggested Hint ihe junior froe place examination should be abolished as a separate examination, and that junior free place candidates should take the scholarship examination without the n«c liinita^te'k.

Tlio conference made recommendations on many other matters, including tho grading of teachers, the courses of instruction in rural subjects, tho utilisation of the services of physical instructors during the sunmier vacation, and the revision of lists of class books.

The proposals endorsed by the conference will be placed before tlie Minister for Education for bis consideration. Some of them are likely to be put into effect in the near future..