SCHOOL DISCIPLINE

Hokitika Guardian, 23 December 1931, Page 6

SCHOOL DISCIPLINE

“A year ago T gave my simple views on the .subject of ‘ discipline, a word from which so many people profess an aversion,” remarked Mr J. R. Sutcliffe, principal of Scots College, Wellington, in his report at the prize-giving ceremony. “I refer to it again without apology, especially as we seem to-day to be surrounded by educational ci-aiiKS aglow with theories of what they call ‘self-expression in the young.’ My own belief is that self-expression in a healthy boy is synonymous with ‘noise’ and that the proper place for that is the -playground rather than the classroom. In the New York Times some months ago, Dr William C. Bagley, professor of education at Columbia University, held that the schools were largely responsible lor the crime wave in that country, and he attacked the lack of discipline and new psychology taught to pupils. ‘Bv overstressing interest and by tolerating lack of effort* by students,’ he stated, ‘the schools must accept censure for political and social laxity.’ He stated further ,‘tiiat in some of the schools, direspect mid even insolence toward teachers must be tolerated on the theory that the impulses of children must not be iepressed,’ and he compared the increase of crime in America with the decrease in France and England where a ‘formal system of education was maintained. I have seen some of these imported ideas incorporated in certain New Zealand schools and have not beep impressed bj the results,’’ Mr Sutcliffe added.