THE SCHOOL AGE

Hokitika Guardian, 9 July 1932, Page 6

THE SCHOOL AGE

THE FIVE-YEAR-OLDS

(From National Education).

It has been a 'little disappointing to find that the public has been less emphatic in its protest against the exclusion of the five-year-old children from the primary schools than the justice of the case demanded. The advantages to the child of an early start on his school career, -at an age when the mind is plastic and habits easily formed, are so obvious that the comparative apathy of the general body of public opinion on this question is really difficult to understand. Various arguments have been adducted by the Government in support of its contention that it is no loss to the child to remain another year at home. These arguments might be taken seriously were the issue merely a, principle in education. But that is not the case. It is- a question of economy, not education. Hence these and similar arguments nnjst be held suspect. They are not sincere. If the argument that the five-year-olds would be better off at home than in school were sound in principle, then why was it not raised before the depression set in? Those who raise it now ar e merely stullifying themselves.

From the administrative point of view tlie exclusion of the five-year-olds involves reaction much more serious than those responsible for this lamentable decision have probably realised. Tlie immediate effect of course will he an increase in the number of unemployed teachers. This will he aggravated next year when the effect of the reduced averages make themselves apparent in the down-grading of the schools. The position will not be restored by the influx next year of five-year-olds wljo are barred this year, because that will fie off-set by the numbers leaving at the end of th 6 school year. All this will tend to create anomalies in the grading and promotion of teachers. It is impossible, in fact, to disturb one part of a system without producing corresponding disturbancevs in the other park. That is one of the disadvantages of basing the status of schools on average attendance, a disadvantage which It is to be hoped will some day be removed. The disturbances will also react upon tlie allowances to the committees. Th e whole thing is a mess,

which a little clear thinking on the part of the Government and its advisers could have avoided. There is another aspect of the question which is worthy of some attention. Many' parents will send their children to private schools. They ai'e already doing so. From information gathered oil the subject the church parish schools n/ru convents have had their roll numbers increased as the result of the exclusion of the five-year-olds from the State schools, and in many cases this will be a permanent loss to the national system. '

•'The Executive of the New Zealand Educational Institute is at present collecting data with regard to the effects of the exclusion edict upon the sytem generally, and the results of its investigations will be published later. C'vcultffs have been sent out asking for information. under specified headings. It is to be hoped that those who receive these will give this very serious matter tlieir careful attention, and assist the Executive in every way possible to e - taolish a strong case on behalf of the parents for presenta*on to the Government.