Vocational Guidance

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 193, 13 May 1944, Page 6

Vocational Guidance

Sir, —Your remarks (“The Dominion.' May 3) on vocational guidance cards of school children were very opportune and have met with the approval of those parents who have given the matter thought and formed a judgment thereon. Probably the officers of the Education Department thought they were doing a good thing for the pupils, but they were mistaken in this. I know from experience with my children, grandchildren, and the children of a large number of friends, that about half or more do not take on or continue in the line they were expected to follow before leaving school, but take up quite different vocations. If the Education Department officials have time on hand they might well occupy themselves in revising the curriculum, for there are too many fancy subjects taught, which are of very little use and consequently precious time is wasted, and not nearly enough time and attention is given to the really necessary and important subjects—specially mathematics and English. In the old days these were thoroughly taught and a really good foundation was laid in them, which was immensely useful in the after-life of the pupils. As regards English, Sir Earnest Benn put it nicely when speaking to school children in London: “I want you to take a deep, keen interest in your English. I want you to strive to lefirn how to speak and write nicely and correctly, and I know, for my part, of nothing that is more important or which is more helpful in life. If only you can frame a sentence; if only you can choose well; if only you can put it nicely, three parts of the job ig done.” There is one subject which is not given sufficient attention; this is elementary botany. If taught it would be useful to most, making their lives fuller and more interesting.—l am. etc., NEOZELAN. May 9.