THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Feilding Star, Volume X, Issue 41, 13 September 1888, Page 3

THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

TOltllß EDITOR-OF THE STAK. Sir,—:"Sist6?s" r letter is no doubt written from good motives, but is evidently baaed on mistaken ideas. I hold with him that •*■ much of the success of public elementary teaching depends on parents" &c.; also that " many children attending school are of weak intellect." It should be remembered, however, that not many such pass into the fourth standard, and that each pupil received by thai head teacher has been sufficiently tested as to his ability to learn, and is, in fact? already somewhat of a .'scholar. The up-mil work of t Caching him' has been dime, and the least that can be expected is that he. shall progress onwards from that point, instead of going back, or making, comparatively, no further headway. As Jto those of weak intellect becoming "hewers of wood and drawers of water," they will require little or np education for that, beyond sufficient to prevent their weakness of intellect causing them to chop off; their toes when hewing wood, or falling into the well when attempting to draw water. It is all very well for anyone to" write like "Sisto" who has never sees the schedules and the written remarks of the Inspector on each class. Itis'tanse that tell the tale, and guide the Committee in forming their opinion. *• Sisto" hopes the •• many friends of Mr Dowling will petition tne Board to retain him in his post." He is, however, mistaken if he supposes, the Committee are otherwise than friends of Mr Dowling in^his private capacity as a geutleman, and that they have allowed any personal feelings to influence them in their decision, or anything else but the interests of those they are supposed to represent. Private feeling is one thing, and public duty is another.—l am, &c, A GomhitxsehjlK.