THE LITERACY IDEAL

Hokitika Guardian, 10 February 1921, Page 3

THE LITERACY IDEAL

“ITS TYRANNY IN SCHOOLS.”

“In these new high schools,” said tin Hon. C. J. Parr (Minister of Educa tion) last week, speaking at the opening of the Pnkekohe High School, “we must get rid of the tyranny of the old literary ideal. Every boy cannot be a lawyer, doctor, or insurance manager. These are but secondary and comparatively unimportant occupations in relation to tin* prosperity of the country.” Instead of being merely the upper department of a primary school, and under the headmaster of the primary school as heretofore, the Technical High School was an entirely separate establishment, with its own independent administration and staff. What did the Technical High gchool stand for? Well, under the new policy this new type of school is intended to perform definite functions. It was a very practical institution. In the first place, the usual high school course would bo provided with a general curriculum, working up to Matriculation standard. In addition there should he a commercial course, where they would frankly get down to subjects such as typewriting and shorthand. Then, for the girls emphasis must In* laid on household science. Personally, he thought that at least a third of tin* time of the girls should be taken up in instruction in the manifold duties of home-keeping. Lastly, and most important of all. the Department desired that the bias of the new

' school should be technical, always according to the locality of the school. At Pnkekohe, for instance, elementary agricultural science, should be established. In each district, according to its particular industry, we must cultivate a spirit in both parents and boys which would dignify that industry and keep and train the young people to it on scientific ilnes.