BRITAIN'S YOUTH

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 84, 6 October 1931, Page 7

BRITAIN'S YOUTH

OUTLET IN COMMERCE SELLING OF GOODS THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS (From "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON, 7th August. Tho final report of the Committee on Education in Salesmanship is out today, and is an official volumo which merits careful study, for striking recommendations on the subject are made. Tho advice that is offered can bo put into effect at onco without waiting forth© setting up of elaborate schemes. This Committeo was appointed in 192S by Lord Eustace Percy, then President of the Board of Education, "to consider tho problem of education for salesmanship." Sir Francis W. Goodonough presided, and with him wero associated a large number of well-known business men. They wore asked to mako any recommendations for action that, following consideration, might appear desirable for tho promotion, by means of education, of greater efficiency in the marketing of British goods and services at homo and overseas. Tho Committee remark: "Tho future industrial prosperity of this country depends upon constant application to tho problems of finding, developing, and maintaining markets for British goods and services of' at least as much time, thought, and energy, and as high a degree of abilities as arc applied to the problems of production ana finance." A WORTHY CAREER. An outstanding conclusion is that commerco offers great attractions as an interesting, adventurous, and worthy career for tho best of our sons and daughters and that commerce needs them. Premising that co-operation between employers (and associations of employers) and tho schools is vital, the Committeo state in detail what they expect from the elementary schools, the secondary schools, - and the public schools respectively in the way of recruits for commercial life. The prime object of tho elementary school should be to give a good general education in which essential subjects aro English, arithmetic, geography, and history. The value of elementary science and manual training is not overlooked.- They think that the teaching of arithmetic should bo related to present day facts and local data, and that mental arithmetic should receive considerable attention. Tho teaching of geography should have close relation to the commercial and economic life of the countries studied. Any instruction in shorthand and typewriting should be postponed till near tho end of school life. As for tho secondary schools parents and schoolmasters aro reminded that pupils of eighteen aro not "too old" to start in commerco if the years 16 to 18 have been spent wisely at school. Some degree of specialisation during the period is justified. Shorthand, typewriting, and instruction in "commodities" are inappropriate at this stage, but a "modern studies" course including descriptive economics, accounts, and statistics would be very useful in certain schools. In tire secondary schools generally, the Committeo are anxious that tho best possible instruction should bo given in English, mathematics (including arithmetic), science, geography, history, and modern languages. Kecruitment to commerce from tho public schools is comparatively small, but is increasing. "Public school boys are promising recruits for the higher ranks of commerce, if wisely selected. It is important that recruitment fwim this source should bo made only with full regard to the character and organisation, of the business, and the temperament and personality of tho recruits." DEVELOPING- THE NATURAL BENT. Employers aro warned against placing undue value on the possession of certificates, and are advised to realise the importance of obtaining from the teacher information as to the qualities and abilities of the candidates. The Committee discuss matriculation examination, and tho first and second school examinations, and they come to the conclusion that tho association of the first examination with matriculation is objectionable. They also think that an effective oral test is essential in modern languago examinations. The emphatic conclusion of the Committee, after discussing examinations, is that tho reliance of employers on certificates has a tendency to encourago cramming at the expense of sound education, and they Bay: — "Commerce needs boys who have been educated according to their natural bent." The prospects of a decent livelihood at a reasonably early age aro declared to be essential to attract the majority of well-educated recruits of 18 or 19 years of age. "Such recruits should not be.started at the same point and put through precisely the same stages of training as recruits of 14 or IG. These points deserve tho serious attention of employers." Tho warning against forcing students to follow uncongenial lines of study is repeated in tho reference to University education, and tho Faculties of Commerce at tho universities and tho business world are advised to get into touch with each other. Education and training during employment with the object of giving the recruit the specific knowledge ho will require about tho goods ho will have to sell are stressed, and tho importance of modern language teaching is emphasised. MATTER FOR JOINT CONSIDERATION. With regard to languages, the Committee feel that thero aro deficiencies in modern language instruction in this country, partly duo to public indifference, partly to over-emphasis of the literary as distinct from the spoken language, and partly to inadequate provision for German and Spanish; but they are glad to note the development of modern language studies in senior elementary schools. They suggest that in secondary schools opportunity should be given to pupils intending to enter commerce of taking two languages before leaving at the age of 16, and, if possible, the elements of a third, if they stay till 18. It is also urged that provision for tho less common European languages and for Oriental languages must bo mado in universities and technical and commercial schools, and tho possibility of providing intensive courses in languages in suitable centres should be considered by business organisations and educational bodies in conjunction. The Committee insist on the recognition by employers and by associations of employers that it is their duty, "aliko to their country, their trade, find their individual business, to show their readiness to co-operate fully with educational authorities to ensure that tho educational needs of this mercantile nation are met effectively without detriment to tho intellectual and cultural development of its individual citizens." A city view is thai; recognition by all concerned of the changing needs due to the passing of the years will tend to better relations and the increase of

commercial efficiency. As tho Prince of Wales lias said, a goodly share of tho best brains to bo had must be concentrated on tho difficult, complex, but most interesting job of fighting competition in the world's markets. Tho report of the Goodenough Committee should do a great deal to ensure not only that they are attracted, but that they are bettor fitted than ever before for their task.