SCHOOL SYSTEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 1 March 1933, Page 3

SCHOOL SYSTEMS

methods of instruction

INTRODUCING NEW IDEAS

' SYDNEY, -February 25; EdiK.-atio.m«ts in Australia are by no means satisfied wicli the present scaool uystems End they will wgfch with i rite, est the experiments that are to be carried out this year in the matter of improved courses, in various subjects. Victoria lias been selected as trial ground and in order that. a thorough investigation small be made.: 2d3 schools have been selected for the experiments. Thus will the most enlightened ideas of the teachers be put I to a praelieal test. If the trial bears out the expectations of the expert .committee, these new ideas wild supersede existing teaching methods i.ll ail Victorian primary schools at least. The experiment will not even be confined to State schools. AH Roman Catholic and Registered primary schools are represented on the subject committee and they will participate in the trial this year. .

While the subjects to be tauerht ape apr.\:oach.ed. from a. novel angle, the changes to be affected are not revoluti on ary in character. The best featurep of the existing system are conserved and tile committee has concentrated. mainly on indicating ways' of. creating, greater interest in the sub- * jec'ts taught, relating education more to mode in. conditions aiiid assisting the children to make a practical application of the things they lear-n. For instance, history will cease to lie a mere teaching of a mass of'dates and unrelated facts. It will be grouped under social studies with geography and civics. Much more stress will be placed on social history, the deyelopment of the British Etnpire, the ideals of the League of Nations and kindred matters.

Discussions' and debates will be indulged in by the class, directed by the teacher, on important, problemf affecting Australia and the world generally, • and the children will be encouraged to co-operate generally in studying histories of .such matters, as electricity, motor transport and aviation, and to study the lives of. great men. Geography will not stop a,t. areal?, population, map drawing, etc., but the teachers will be expected to enlarge on subjects such as Australia's neighbours in the Pacific and the problems of the Bri'ish Empire and. India. Five improved courses liave.j been drawn rp—mathematics.

music, health and physicial education, science and social studio?—and in each instance provision is made for more activity by the pupils, themselves in the 'study of the subject. - If the experiment;-proves.-successful, a h’g sumuiei-r schoolff-fca’. all teaclipwi, will be held at the beginning of next year and the new ideas 'will be explained to them in detail.