The Rural Course.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 26 November 1913, Page 3

The Rural Course.

SUGGESTIONS PItOM LEVIN Last mouth, the Education Board received from the Levin School Committee u series of resolutions in regard to the ruurl uurrieulum in the District High School in that town. These were to the effect that the agricultural instruction was too meagre and general to be of any practical value; that it led to ho definite end, and was not linked up with the agricultural colleges and experimental farms; that the curriculum was crowded with too many subjects for full and effective instruction in any of them; that no distinction was made between the sexes and the different types of scholar, and that no provision was made for specialising in view of a calling; and that the door to the university was closed unless extra coaching was obtained and paid for outside the school hours. The committee suggested that the system be amended in order better to suit the needs of every type of scholar, and with the practical ideal of fitting the children for a vocation in life. INSPECTORS' REPORT. Reporting on the subject to the board yesterday, the inspectors stated that, acting on instructions from tlie board, they met the committee in conference on the 4th inst. Among other matters, the inspectors pointed out that it was practically impossible in a school staffed as a District High School to carry out satisfactorily programmes designed to meet the needs of every type of scholar, and that it would" be a difficult matter with only two teachers to prepare scholars for the university, for all the public examinations and for rural life at .one and the same time, unless the pupils consented to take extra work in such subjects as mathematics and languages out of school hours. The inspectors, however, suggested some possible modifications of the present programme which should in a measure meet the objections of the committee. "With the committee's contention that the agricultural instruction was not linked up with agricultural colleges, the inspectors were in entire agreement, as a reference to their annual reports would show. SOME RECOMMENDATIONS. The present programme (the repori continued) was designed to meet the requirements of the rural course and to prepare scholars for the intermediate or civil service junior examination. The general work in this department ranged from satisfactory to good. The inspectors went on to report on fhe nature of the work in other subjects of the curriculum. In connection with the science of the rural course, the laboratory workwas commended. The .clcmontarv agriculture was praorrcnlly under the management of Mr Roekell, who was doing most callable work. "With regard to the outside work, however, the inspectors recommended that the present area under cultivation he reduced. The report was adopted. New Zealand Times.