The Hokitika Guardian TUESDAY, MAY 30th 1922. EDUCATIONAL.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 May 1922, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian TUESDAY, MAY 30th 1922. EDUCATIONAL.

Tim eJiwMliiii.il ieqi.i.t'ineiits ot the district brought bet ore the Minister of V.uucauon durinK his Into visit were wry well put l.v the deputation. The niliiilenient* in ii'gnnl to loeiil conditions were not immediately large, but it conceded "ill do a good deni to help the cause of education locally. It "ill lie very helpful to. have a hostel e»ti.lilislied. Tin.l, luiv-ever, "ill not eonie quickly, for legislation lias to lie passed, hut it would appear matters have been pu! In i rain to enable ways and me.in- I) lie punned t.,,wards the ino in \ iev,. .Matters a iout the local school j.h iii-.,lurl\ after the .Minister’s visit yesterday, should be adjusted satisfactorily. The Minister showed a disposition in he helpln! where he could, iind there is fettsoli to hdievh lhilt tile coininliiiliy ciin he griUeful for the visit. Another matter brought fniwnid was that iit relation to tin l administration nf education in tile district by the present camli.rsnme and slow process via Canterbury-. Several instances were giv ell of the delays ellduied and it cuu well he understood, I lie cost is llign. The suggestion to treat the district jx (•optionally and administer the act by a t'oniiiiihssiiiner or Commissioners seemed to meet with .Ministerial approval. It would appear this is a mode ot ic111nil w ha'li has nnu'li to commend itself. Tin* ICducatmil llc-ard* i'ost over £liO.(!:):i in adminisiratinti alone, and Seeing tlliil stalling is now done by a grade system, the Jh.n*«ls are becoming an expensive addition to tile system. Actually they are chiefly intermedia]machines between the Government and the Committee. In that respect they could he dispensed with altogether. The .Minister seems to have something ot that course in ms minil;. though it is not clear that tile time is yet ripe lor him so t> a<d. Mr I’.ir slowed i ready desire to help in regard to high school education and favors the introduction of junior high schools to expand Hie Gaining of pupils qualifying in the higher stand.i:ds; There seems to he an element ot cost in this new system which should he taken into aee.itmt. Considerably over three millions are now being spent annually oil education, and for lei* great outlay a great deal should lie done, The original primary system may lie considered out of date by the modern expel ts. but in its day it served a very good purpose. The average man or woman of to-dav over the half century mark, can each say what the solid primary system of education of llitir d..,v did for them. There was much meat in it. It is doubtful it the primary course is as meaty to-day. There are a good many side lilies introduced in t > the curriculum of late, and atogether they do not tell greatly iiwiegard to mental instruction. The primal y course served such a good puTpose over so long a term of years, that its improvement, rather than its embellishment with extras, should he the main consideration. The foundation of a good general knowledge is possible under the primary course us in the days of yore, and that was an acthieveinenl not to he lightly ovci looked. Si ill. tile modernist has much to say for advanced reforms in education, but we fear in the aggregate tney are more costly than profitable in the sum of general knowledge, conveyed and instilled in the minds of the pupils.