CONEERENCE OF INSPECTORS

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8735, 8 February 1907, Page 2

CONEERENCE OF INSPECTORS

Press Association. Wellington, February 7. The question of grading schoolchildren according to their degree of mental alertness teas brought before the School Inspectors' Conference to-day by Mr E. C. Pnrdie, of Auckland, who moved that all pupils in classes above Standard 111. should be taught in the same school.' ■ Explaining his proposals, ho said that in Auckland city and suburbs,' whore there were 19 schools, he would have all the pupils of standards 4,5, and G collected respectively into three central schools. This would afford greater facility for teaching, and lessen the cost. For example, if standard 6 pupils were found to number two hundred they would be divided into four classes of fifty each under four teachers, and they could be graded to a nicety. Under the present system teachers never could do justice to the bright or to the dull pupils. The project was supported by Messrs Mulgan (Canterbury), and Harkness (Nelson), and carried by a largo majority. The motion has the effect of a recommendation to the Education Department. Wellington, February 8.

The Inspectors’ Conference continued this morning. The General Committee recommended among other -things that medical inspection of school children should be carried out, that centralisation of schools in country districts is highly desirable, and that a school gazette should be issued by the Department. The report was considered in committee. It was resolved that first aid should be a compulsory subject in examination for teachers’ certificates.