LITTLE ADVANCE IN TEACHING METHODS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 169, 7 October 1927, Page 1

LITTLE ADVANCE IN TEACHING METHODS

TOO MUCH ARITHMETIC REVISION OF SYLLABUS “There is little evidence in the reports of the senior inspectors to show that the year has been marked by any general advance in methods of teaching. They report that the methods of previous years are still those employed in most schools, and that a majarity of the teachers show much conservatism, the older ones from habit, and the younger ones from example.” This statement is part of the report of the chief inspector of primary schools, Mr. W. M. Bird, to the House. “While it is recognised that the development of the individual to the fullest capacity along his own peculiar ind particular lines is of paramount importance, few teachers modify their methods to meet this end “The inspectors realise the difficulty in the case of large classes, but suggest that every class should be sectionalised. and thus some attempt made to cater for the various capabilities of the pupils. On the other hand, some attention has been given during the year to modern methods of examination and classification, which must in time react upon the methods of teaching, especially leading to the more rapid promotion of the accelerated pupil and to remedial measures in the case of the retardate. The inspectors’ reports show that greater attention is being shown to speech-training, with the object of counteracting incorrect habits of speech out of school. READING ALOUD “The intellectual aspect of reading, ‘reading for content,’ as it is called, is receiving greater attention from teachers, and in most schools good class libraries are to be found. “Clearness of utterance, audibility, fluency, and expression based upon comprehension are the essential qualities of good reading aloud, and it is most desirable that attention should : still be given to secure these in our pupils. “It would appear that the inspectors generally aro of opinion that too much time is still given to arithmetic which, being regarded as the most important subject in the school, has devoted to it not only the prescribed period but any spare time in addition. REFORM IN TEXT BOOKS “The revision of the syllabus referred to in last year’s report, has been placed in the hands of a special committee appointed by the Minister. This will naturally be followed by a revision of the clas-books, and this is, without doubt, very desirable. Particularly is leform necessary in the text-books in English language. “The senior inspector of Hawke'a Bay district calls attention to the need for inculcating to a greater extent habits of thrift. He points cut that the children could economise in their use of the ordinary school requisites to an extent that would probably reduce

appreciably the expense to which their parents are put.. It may be stated that the provision in the Education Act for the establishment of schools sav-ings-banks for the use of children attending the schools is not made use of to any great extent.”