TEACHERS' CONGRESS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 86, 4 January 1918, Page 9

TEACHERS' CONGRESS

YESTERDAY'S PROCEEDINGS INSTRUCTION IN SEX PHYSIOLOGY The conference of tho iNeiv Zealand Educational Institute continued its sessions in the Masonic Hall, Uoulcott Street, yesterday. Mr. W. Eudey (vice-president) occupied the chair. Tho conl'erenco considered a Southland remit urging the appointment of qualified persons to give instruction on sex physiology at tha school. The remit was moved by Mr. H. M'Chesecv. Mr. 0. D. Flamank (Duuedin) warmly supported it. Ignorance of tho consequences of immorality, he said, was what led to immorality, and if our children grew u'p in immorality, what was the use of our boasted system of education ? Mr. F. Ij. Combs, M.A.. and Mr. E. H. liallachey, 8.A., both considered that the regular school teachers were tho proper persons to give the instruction suggested. Mr. Ballachey moved, in amendment, ''That some instruction on sex physiology should bo given in our schools in the physiology and health course." The object of including the instruction in tho physiology and health course was to make it something merely incidental, and not such an object of curiosity to the children as at present. Mr. M'Chesney said that he had no objection to'the amendment. Ho suggested that) it would he well for students "at the training, colleges to bo taught. ,how to impart instruction in sex physiology. Mr. Flamank expressed a. doubt as to tho qualification of some.teachers for the task which . the principle of tho amendment, if carried-oiit, would cast upon them.- He could see no reason wny'the . medical inspectors of schools should riot do the work.

• -The amendment, proposed by Mr. Ballachey was substituted for tho motion.. . ■ Mr. Erskine moved a further amendment, viz.: "That the Education Department be asked to take into, serious consideration the necessity for giving instruction in sex physiology in our schools." Mr. Erskine's amendment was finally carried. Length of Primary Course. Mr. Rowntree (Wellington) moved: "That the N.Z.E.I. is of opinion that the proposal to terminate the primary school course at the twelfth year of the pupil's life is contrary to the best interests of the youth and therefore of the peopl6 of the Dominion." Mr. Parkinson, in the course of the discussion upon the abpve remit, said that the ' proposal that the primary school course should terminate at twelve years of ago came from those who were not engaged in primary education. It emanated partly from the secondary schools and partly from the Industrial Association. Industry was anxious to have the children as recruits for its army. What teachers desired, however, was to turn out children who would make the best recruits for a free and enlightened democracy. No person of wide experience 111 dealing with children would undertake to decide, when a child was in its twelfth year, whether it should go into a technical school or into a secondary school. Miss Chaplin, B.A. (Canterbury) said that the Council of Education was not in favour of the proposal that tho primary school course should terminate whon children reached the age of twelve. All tho speakers supported the remit. . . Mr. Eowntree said that tho proposal had been viewed by some as an attempt to prevent the children of the working classes from rising. The remit was carried. Evening Session. The conference sat in committee during the evening. • Business will be resumed at 9.30 this morning'.