EDUCATIONAL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 79, 24 April 1908, Page 2

EDUCATIONAL.

]T is to be hoped all residents j wilt feel suffuient interest ;n (lie ' matter to attend the annual meei. j ing of householders, for the e!ee- ; lion of selioo! committees, on j Monday next. In modern times, particularly in our o;vn Dominions, education has come t<> he j regarded as a m.'titer <>f c-uir-v. • and by the unanimocis wishi ol th.e jveopl.e the system, fostered j by oiu* legislators, is j^onstan 1 jy j being improved in ihe direction I

of giving facilities to all, to receive the benefits of the highest education at the least possible cost. Differences of opinion there may be in matters of detail, but the cardinal principle of free education is being interpreted in the broadest possible spirit. There is one phase of the question, however, of the greatest importance to our district, and it is the personal duty of every parent to become acquainted with matters educational, in order to secure for the country school children equal advantages (or as near thereto as possible) with town scholars. (iranted that the education authorities are always ready and willing to meet the requirements of all classes, the fact remains that country children are under a serious handicap compared with town children. Naturally Ihe advantages must always be villi the greatest centres, but tin-re is a growing feeling that mere could be done tor .the children in ihe more sparsely populated district:-. The question is purely one of ways and means, and country parents, by taking an intelligent interest in educati'MM! matter.'; in their own districts. ms\ assist towards a

satisfactory solution of a present difficulty. In other respects the active assistance of parents is al~

ways desirable. A teacher's work is imnunsely lightened by parental inknst, ami the very best met hod of aequiri ng that knowledge, which is the essential forenmncrof ink rest in any subject, is to attend the annual meeting of householders and take a hand in the year's operations from the start.