EDUCATIONAL MATTER

Hokitika Guardian, 12 February 1921, Page 1

EDUCATIONAL MATTER

INS RECTOR S’’ CON FERENCE

[llY TELEGRAPH—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION]

WELLINGTON, Feb. 10

The Inspectors’ Conference adopted

yesterday the report of the special committee appointed to consider a modification of primary education and to suggest suitable and just primary courses.

The Committee considered that the primary course should end when the pupils reach approximately the standard of the present standard five, the primary course to he modified to permit pupils to reach that standard generally about the age of twelve with special post-primary institutions for those not reaching standard five at the age Of fourteen. That post-primary courses he provided at secondary schools providing more or less academic courses of study for suitable pupils or at high schools providing more general secondary courses leading to the academic course, rural or agricultural course, industrial course, commercial course or domestic course, or at special classes established in these high schools for backward pupils referred to pro ously.

The committee recommended that the selection 'of pupils for these different courses he made by the inspector and head teacher in consultation with the parent rather than by the results of one qualifying examination; that district high schools or secondary departments with hostels attached !><• established at suitable centres to meet the needs of pupils in country districts.

It is recommended that no seienc woodwork, cooking or advanced needlt

•work Ik* required in the primary course though handwork and nature study, including gardening, are to he continued. The change is to he introduced very gradually, beginning next year, in the centres where tin* primary schools are most overcrowded; also in existing district high school centres, and efficiently conducted schools where Standard seven can he conveniently established.

The committee emphasised that n secohdary course should hi' closed t any hoy or girl fitted to benefit by it.

RI BLIC SCHOOL COI RSB

WELLINGTON. Feb. 10.

The conference of school inspectors ,0-dav discussed the question of sex initruction in public schools.

The Minister of Education stated that a great deal of evil was caused hv neglecting to instruct the "young as to the physiological facts of life. He rcj ferred' to the large proportion of inmates of mental hospitals, there through pervision of the sex instinct and ignorance in early life of sexual I laws, lie thought that parents should teach their own children, lie had doubts as to the advisability of calling mi teachers to carry out this duty. Dr Wilkens, chief medical 'officer of -eiiools, read a pap* suggesting that a form of sex instruction should take the children of different ages up to 9 or !W. Ordinary teachers could do the work, hut after the age of puberty

there should be a special staff of instructors to deal with tire matter. Such a vitally necessary subject should he earnestly taken tip. Every effort to stamp out venereal disease would he doomed to failure unless sex instruction was given in early life. The .Minister agreed that instruction should begin early, meanwhile the school doctors were looked to to provide ;i great, deal of the required instruction