CONTINUATION CLASSES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 59, 4 December 1918, Page 7

CONTINUATION CLASSES

[im I'IUSS FOB 'THE I'UTUBE. ■ "New -Zealnnrl has ca]ise to be proud of the , fact' that an unusually large proportion ; of its children nve able to eotftimio their ; education beyond , the primary school stage, and that nearly 00 per cent, (it! these receive their secondary education free, while a considerable number again aro provided with freo education at the university," says the Minister..- of Education in his annual report. "Our gratification at such a result .in a , comparatively young community should not obscure the fact that nearly half of the pupils of primary schools reach the age of fourteen and terminate their education without passing the Sixth Standard, while a large number do not'even pass the Fifth- • Standard. This is , not altogether due to lack of eapneity of any kind on the part of these pupils, and investigation will need to be inadc of tho onuses of this retardation and tho means by ■which it can be'partially checked. Tito , fact that most of these pupils are able eub.eequently to become intelligent workers indicates that in eonie way.we have not provided'the'special form of education suitcd'to their'needs. Further provision, ■'however, will need to be made by means of continuation classes to provide for an extension of the education' of all chil.-' droiriip to the age of sixteen or seventeen years. In tlie case: of those who cannot, suitably proceed'to a.secondary 'bourse continued education during work.ing hours in; association with the occupation in which they are enga'ged'will need to be provided., ' ■ "In* .some seventeen small areas in-.the North-Island coiiipulfory continuation classes have been instituted at the option of ,1 local authority, but there,are! no' such, classes' in the South Island.:: If ; tho matter is to be dealt with in. any ■effective-way it'must bo through 'the adoption, of a national system. Further legislation has therefore teen provided .for taking the. initial steps in establishing compulsory continuation classes held . during working hours for yomig pebple 'who d0,.,n0t enter upon .some regular form of secondary education. In order .to .put the whole matter on a sound footing, , , .applications have been called for. a Superintendent of Technical Education, whose duty it will be to ascertain, the requirements' of. the Dominion, to examine the working, of the present system, and to report on tho best means of providing for future developments.

. "In our approach to the solution of tjijs question, .however, and while we keep in.view the need for technical and .vocational' education, we must first- con-, eider the good of the children and youths concerned. It would be a great mistake to regulate and organise classes, allow top early specilisa'tion, and limit studies with a view to securing immediate industrial returns at the expense of the true.and full development of the children. The main consideration must bo child ;.tb.'think' for himself -to develop manhood, initiation, selfcontrol, and -skill, through citizenship and work, and then rely on educated workers to meet the needs ; of the community in a wav that, is found to be beneficial both lo • themselves and'' lo others." ■ . .- ■ . ."-..