COUNTRY SCHOOLS.

Lyell Times and Central Buller Gazette, Volume VI, Issue 281, 10 July 1886, Page 4

COUNTRY SCHOOLS.

The following is an extract from the Education Statement delivered by Sir Eobert Stout in the House recently : " There is one remark that I desire to make with special reference to the teaching of children in country districts. In the towns and centres of population there are secondary schools, and in this respect people living in country districts labour under some disadvantage. Can this be remedied ? The only possible way of remedying it is to get for country schools highly educated teachers. I believe it is more necessary to have in our primary schools in outlying districts highly educated teachers than in the same class of schools in our towns. There are many districts in Scotland in which through augmentation of the salaries of the teachers, the parish schoolmaster is graduate of some university. I should like to see the same in the country districts of New Zealand ; and were that obtained the teacher could, and without injury to his other pupils, give to the highest classes instruction in secondary school subjects. It is the ability to do this that has made the parish schools of Scotland so famous. From them pupils can go direct to universities, without passing through secondary schools. Ido not believe that what are termed our district schools will be thoroughly equipped until they are able, in country districts at all events, to do what is done in Scotland. I know that this is impossible at the present time. Many teachers in the country schools are poorly paid; many of them are even uncertificated; the certificates of others show that tney are not competent to give any secondary instruction to their pupils, lam only making a suggestion as to what we must have in view. The time must come when to the bright and willing boy of every country district there must be opened the door of knowledge as wide as to the dweller in the city. Country settlers, though they have many joys, have also to undergo many hardships. They have to live away from much social intercourse and much social enjoyment. Do not let it be said that we are to deny to their youth the advantage of a firstclass education. " I have made these remarks about country schoolmasters because it seems to me that throughout the Colony there has been a desire by the Education Boards to centre all the best teaching power in the cities. No doubt in the cities there are the large schools, and these require capable organising teachers. At the same time, as I have pointed out, the towns have secondary schools, and those who desire their children to obtain secondary education do not need to rely on district schools."