EDUCATIONAL.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 March 1918, Page 4

EDUCATIONAL.

PUBLIC MEETING AT TOWN HALL The 'public meeting hold at the Town Jin 11 last evening under the auspices of the New Zealand Educational Institute to draw attention to the necessity of a re-organisation and improvement of the educational system of the Dominion. The attendance was not large there being only about fifty per cent present, fully one half being of the fair sex. Mr W. I). Mackay, President of the Westland branch of the Institute proaid ed. and in opening the meeting said, as they were aware, they had assembled to discuss matters in connection with the educational system. They were there to deal with the defects of the system and to endeavour to find a solution therefor. In regard to the defects he would enumerate some of those to which lie had desired to draw attention. These were defects in the school buildings and the furnishings therein, the syllabus, supply of teachers inspectors and the office staffs. He said that the school buildings, in most instances were exactly what they should not be ns far as lighting and vent ilation was concerned. These were defective to a very great degree . In regard to the syllabus enforced, it was causing the children and teachers to work at a pressure that is anything but goou for them physically, mentally or spiPitunlly. There was much to he si-... against the present system of staffing of the schools. In dealing lengthily, with the subject Mr Mackay concluded by stating that they were moved in their agitation to endeavour to infiuenee tlie powers that he in the interests of the well-being of tile children who were placed under their charge. M r L. F. do Berry, Hector of Hokitika District High School, and vice-' President of the N.Z.K.T., moved: “That in view of tho strenumis work of national reconstitution and reorganisation that must assuredly follow the declaration of peace, this public meeting strongly urges Cabinet at once to overhaul the school system, (particularly with reference to size of class, schools and playgrounds; the physical welfare of the child, examinations, and the status of teachers,) in order that (he system may he properly equipped and fully reach’ to discharge efficiently its important part, in the development of the nation.”

Mr de Jlerry said it. was unnecessary to point out tile value of education was to the people. The greatest task before us was the building up of young people of New Zealand 1o enable them to take a fitting part in the great struggle of life, which after the present, war was concluded would he more strenuous than over. It was the feeling that it was urgently necessary that improvements should bo effected in their educationaly system. For some years the education question has been shelved and shoved aside. Education was not popular with politicians, and because it was so it had been starved. "A deputation that had waited on Cabinet some time ago had been told that, they could not spend more money on education at present. In the Mother Country last year the need for improvement was recognised, and in spite of the war, four millions nddtirmal was spent on education, while the” most far-reaching education hill ever brought forward was under consideration and according to the London Times was going to pass. Education in this country will nevei come to anything successful until an expert has charge of the Department. There wore a large amber of reforms wanted including improvement in school Ifuildiings and sehftol fiJlrnituro, enlarged and hotter playgromls, .an increased number of Inspectors, to enable them to give more attention and instruction to tho teachers in need of their help, and medical and dental inspection to he effectively carried out. In this connection he urged that the re. commendations of the inspectors should he given effect to hv the Government and not he left to the parents, to do ns they thought fit the poorest, parents being unable to give effect hereto, no matter how desirous they may be of so doing. There was also the questions of technical schools and tuition and of compulsory continuation classes and centralisation of schools. Those questions were dealt with at lengtll, t-lie speaker stating they sought to improve the system for the benefit of our hoys and girls. Dev. P, B. Fraser seconded the motion. Deferring to the small attendance they knew how difficult it was fo enthuse over education. In seconding the motion he did so because it was an expression of great dissatisfaction at the '< state of things. Nothing was more important than the system of education to country and nothing was more f necessary than that a whole-hearted educated man should be in charge of the. Department. He

hoped the teachers would organise a repetition of this meeting at stated intervals, so that the importance of the question could be fully ventilated. It was quite as important as the Otira Tunnel or like subjects that engaged the attention of deputations. There was no <f(ther subject that should have more of their attention. The teaching profession had not been honoured as it should have. been. Referring. to the Inspectors he said to no' body of men did we own more than to the Inspectors a deep debt of gratitude being due to them. N Miss Potts, mistress at Knnieri school said she was glad to belong to the country schools. She was proud of her country school children. Referring to the pupil teacher system she was quite sure that the system was wrong to put a young girl to teach a class before she had had proper experience and tuition. The speaker referred interestingly at some length to her teaching experiences, receiving a very hearty round of applause at the conclusion. Mr F. W. Selby, Chairman ,of Hie Ivanieri School Committee expressed his regret at the spnrcity of the attendance and gave his hearty support to the motion, feeling specially that there was an urgent necessity for further attention being given to technical education.

Mr T. W. Bruce also supported the motion referring to a. number of matters affecting the welfare of education at some length. The motion was then put and carried unanimously.

The Chairman expressed his pleasure at the approval given by the meeting and stated the suggestion of further

similar gatherings being hold would bs duly considered by the Executive. A vote of thanks to the chairman carried by acclamation concluded the meet mg •