EDUCATION CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 15 May 1920, Page 3

EDUCATION CONFERENCE

(Per Press Association.) j ‘ ' 1 WELLINGTON, May 14. j Addressing the Education Conference 1 the Hon. C. H. Parr,. Minister of Edu- - cation, outlined some important pro- i posuls regarding educational reform. I The Minister, who was accorded an enthusiastic hearing, said lie desired to introduce a 'number of subjects for i free discussion with reference to educational reform in New Zealand. He :

wished to take advantage of the presence of all inspectors and representative teachers from all over New Zealand to discuss important matters which came within their own peculiar province. He wanted them specially to discuss the question of recasting the whole syllabus of instruction, • with the object of providing for: (a) Termination of the primary school course at approximately the age of 12 years; (b) the preparation of pupils for admission to secondary schools at the age of about 12 years; (c) the establishment of central schools at which pupils who do not proceed to secondary schools will continue their education after passing the primary stage; (d) further instruction in primary school for say two years of pupils who completed the primary school course in localities where the establishment of central schools would be desirable, (e) a scheme of continued day , light education to say the age of 18. The Minister, proceeding, said that all' the ' world over leading educationalists were advising the recasting of the whole primary system of education on the lines lie had indicated. Such proposals, obviously meant more schools and more teachers, but that was no rea_ son why, if it meant expense, Now Zealand should lag behind the rest of the world. They could carry on from 12 to 15 years with a post elementary course in most country 1 schools. In cities, of course, there should ho no difficulty. He was afraid many children lost a ' lot of time under their sixth standard course as it at present existed-. Elsewhere they were cutting down the elementary course, and starting a secondary course at the age of 12 years. It was held that knowledge of the three R.’s should be rooted and established by the age of 12. He quoted numerous authorities abroad as showing the trend of educational reform, and in this connection specially emphasised the importance of establishing central schools. People -at home, lie' observed, since the war had been taking hold of the problem with . both hands. Were we not lagging behind?' What he wanted to hear them specially discuss was the establishment of elementary schools for children between the ages of six and 12, intermediate schools for children between the ages of 12 and 16, not attending secondary schools, and secondary schools for children between 12 and 18. The Minister, in concluding, said the opinion, of a leading educationalist in Australia (Frank Tait) was that unless they frankly recognised that elementary "education ended at 12 years of age, the proper development of intermediate and higher ducatiou was impossible. After discussing the Minister’s scheme the following resolution was carried: “That the whole syllabus of instruction should bo revised to provide for: (1) Tile termination of the primary schools course- at approximately the age of 12 years; (2) the preparation of pupils for admission to secondary schools at the age of 12; (3) the establishment of central schools whereat pupils who don’t proceed to secondary schools will be able to continue education to the age of 16.”