HIGH SCHOOL REFORM.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 July 1917, Page 4

HIGH SCHOOL REFORM.

CQUfISES QE INSTRUCTION. Wellington, July 18 Referring to the new regulations framed by the Hon J. A. Hanan, Minuter of providing for cqu?s?s of instruction, fpr free plq.ce p.ixpfia ip Jiigh schools, the Minister informed me to-day that history and civics' were compulsory in view of their gieat importance, as well as tfieiy special interest ip connexion with the present and future of onr civic and national life, and with the welfare of the Empire as a whole. It was prescribed in the new regulations that the course pf history, mpst cover the history of the British Empire in \ outline, anil the lights and duties of citizens, treated in such a way as to develop a §ens§ of responsibility with regard to social se,vyice. It was hoped thus to direct the thoughts of boys and girls in their teens to the ideal that all fliei? p.owerg and capabilities weyp giypp by nature and developed by the education which the State provided and should not be regarded mprely as talents used for personal beppfi|. O.p the contrary, it‘ should he see? l fhj* the best rqwayd and promotion for any service -which a person was able to render should be an opportunity for service involving a greater trust ipid a poxverfor helpfulness and social progress. It was also prescribed that the teaching of civics should deal with the. Ypry pleipentar.y prnicipjes of economics which shonld he dpYelfiP e( ! at a later stage in the senior free place couyse,. A citizen of the present .day §hpuld fplloyv intelligently the economic questions which constantly affected hfa welfare, and on which, as an elector, he was called upon tq not greeted, continued the Minister, P that the senior pupils in the secondary schools shall study economics in the, ordinary sense, but they could learn much that would enahla then} to follow intelligently questions of which may be presented. to them by experts through the medium of the Press or by books, or: through follpwpag poHtical c|ueatipns of the day as ordinary citteene.”