Educationists Seek Useful Criticisn

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 352, 12 May 1928, Page 8

Educationists Seek Useful Criticisn

NEW SYLLABUS AIMS “END OF SLAVISH GRAMMAR" Press Association. WELLINGTON, T<hUj. Referring this evening to tin new primary schools syllabus, Mr. T. B. Strong, Director •i Education, said that the department was still open to receipt constructive criticism. Educationists had aimed in general to develop a curriculum and a syatem which, up to the age of H would offer to all the same educational opportunities. In this the teacher was given the greatest latitude, subject of course to the approval of the inspector. The aim of the new syllabus was to use the material which the child was familiar with, and with that in vie* certain subjects were introduced earlier. He hoped the time of slsrisi teaching of grammar was gone for ever, and greater attention could b* paid to English literature. On the physical side the syllabi aimed at all-round development of tha child, iyiore specialisation was aiiaei at. Tb£re was no opposition in ti* minds of the department, or of tfa* Government, to junior high school*. He would like parents to be enco#:* aged to keep children in a P°* : ‘ primary school as long as possib* He hoped a substantial improvement would be made this year in remodeling old-fashioned schools, and in ducing the size of classes. The establishment of a Stand*' 1 - VII. was provided in order that pn?fc who had passed Standard VI. be encouraged to continue their education, while watiing for employingThe abolition of proficiency certi*; cates and substitution for them primary school certificates, on the accredied system, put add*; responsibilities on the teachers, he had every confidence in them.