THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5274, 14 May 1928, Page 3

THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

VARIOUS RECOMMENDATIONS. POINTS IN SYLLABUS REPORTS. AiOTng interesting recommendations of the Schools Syllabus Committee arc the following:— NO HOMEWORK. The committee recommends that homework in the form of school tasks should not be required from pupils up to; 12 years of age. and only to a very limited extent up to I's years of age. MORE HANDWORK. Handwork should, be given a more definite place in. the school scheme, and teachers should inculcate an equal respect for all kinds: of work. “No system of education can be satisfactory if one section of the pupils is led, even subconsciously, to assume an air of superiority over other sections.” MEDICAL INSPECTION. The committee recommend!? that the operations of the medical service should extend to pupils in the secondary school to the age of 15. UNIFIED CONTROL. It is essential that the education of the pupil should be a continuous process. and that transference from primary to secondary school: shojuld be possible without a harmful break. In order to ensure this continuity the committee recommends that there should be in each education, district one controlling authority, .elected on a b 'oad basis. The system of appointment of teachers to secondary schools is in urgent need of revision ; there should., be no barrier to the transfer of primary teachers to secondary schoofe, and special provision should be made for training secondary teachers. Further, the inspectorate should be unified—an inspector’s activities •should lead him, according to h.is qualifications, over the whole; field from the primer classes to Form VI. of the high school. FROM THE MINORITY REPORT. Education in Nc.w Zealand mu«,t approach nearer reality. . . .- The potential, citizens in our schools should be so educated that they can choose wisely their own life and occupation.” Other recommendations., made in tlie minority report refer to the following The desirability of reducing the size >ejf classes iiv the primary Schools. Securing greater permanency in staffs. Giving no homework to pupils.- under, Standard VI. Restoring capitation for swimming classes. Increasing .house allowance to teachers. Employing peripatetic specialist teachers to give the necessary variety to course, of instruction. Providing uniifor-m text-books' by a system of wholesale purchase or production by the department, with distribution. to schools on requisition.