State School Manners

Feilding Star, Volume IX, Issue 7, 2 July 1887, Page 4

State School Manners

o There are two things not usually taught in our. schools, namely — morals and manners. Yet theae are the most . important factors in education. The old question arises; Quis ciustodiet;,ipsos custodes? Who shall teach the teachers ? Observing the general, conduct qf_o6hool children one can well understand the gratification, of that Canterbury inspector %ho, reporting on the ** excellent .behavior of the boys in the Otari Bridge plaj'ground, says that on inquiry he found this pleasing spectacle was " the result of direct instruction from the head-teacher." And we thoroughly endorse his commentary : " This sort of thing ought to be more general, and its introduction into the playgrounds of: our schools would tend to check the larrikinism of which we hear so much." Unfortunately, teachers, as a general rule, which fortunately, is nos, an- . universal one, ! conceive thai their' " duties begin and end with - the curriculum. This is a huge mistake. It would be better~if~the children had less scholastic tuition, and some little instruction as to behavior. The prospect of a generation of educated " roughs" is not a pleasing one. — Dunedin Star.