PRIMARY EDUCATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1654, 23 December 1916, Page 2

PRIMARY EDUCATION.

VERY strong complaints have been made from time to time in different parts of the Dominion that, the product. of the primary schools of today does not come up to the standard in the principal subjects of study attained by the boys and girls of some years ago, and it is contended by many who take an interest in education that the syllabus contains too many subjects, while others again consider that, the instruction is not as thorough as formerly, the lime available being insufficient to properly cover each subject, says the Post. The Minister of Education (Hon. .). A. Jlauan) has been giving considerable attention Id the unit ter, and is issuing regulations and instructions with 1 lu* object of improving present conditions. The .Minister purposes making provision for a wider and more delinile course in English, for a more practical course in spelling, for more emphasis on the essential subjects, and a consequent, subordination of subsidiary subjects. lie also intends arranging for complete model schemes of work to be drawn up for the use of inexperienced teachers, and for directions to be issued to teachers and inspectors with the object of improvement in instruction, inspection, and examination. It is not the present intention of the .Minister to make a general remodelling of (he syllabus, or of the system of inspection. What he is desirous of doing is to level up some of the weak places which have become evident in many quarters .and otherwise make instruction in primary schools more thorough.

\VF are pleased ju know Hint tin.' Minister lor Fducalion is looking into onr niueh-Viinnled system of free, seenlnr mol eoinpnlsory eduenlion, For wliieh the country is heavily taxed to maintain. No one complains at tin* cost oF education provided that Ike expenditure is justilied by results. Is it 1 Are (lie children oF to-day being belter equipped mentally, morally and physically For life's battle than heretofore? IF not, why? First of all, parents are heller off to-day than they were years ago, and I heir children are indulged in luxuries and pleasures (hat were unknown a little lime back'. These indulgeneies divert (he child mind From serious studies and meditation (hat build up true character and develop (he mind on right lines. The inlluenee For good on tin* child i|nst come first From the parents, backed by skilled experts in the leaching profession. Fnl'ortunalely the leaching profession is tilled by too many misfits who have but a very hazy conception of the great responsibililies resting upon them — they are not “called" to the profession but use the profession as a convenience and know about as much of the psychology of the child as the infants they seek to instruct. Let the Stale first of all train the teacher, and when they have done that and are satisfied with his qualifications, pay him a salary commen-surate-with his high calling. Academic (pmlilicalions in a teacher without the subtle understanding a bove referred to isn't worth a tinkers cuss. It the Minister is anxious For thoroughness in niir primary schools he should cause a careful and systematic examination to he made of the capabilities and (pialilicalioiis of those who are entrusted with the mental training of the boys and girls who art' to be Ihe future citizens niid administrators of (Ids young country. The teaching profession wants looking into as well as the syllabus.