NOT “UNDESIRABLE”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 461, 17 September 1928, Page 8

NOT “ UNDESIRABLE ”

RATHER less, if possible, than the usual degree of educational light was shed by the Minister of Education in his remarks on smaller classes, school buildings, junior high schools, and so on, in the House of Representatives the other day. “Unfortunately,” admitted Mr. Wright, “many classes in New Zealand schools are too large.” That is under-statement. Many of them are still so monstrously large that they cannot be called classes at all, if by “class” is meant, as should be meant, a group of children so classified as to be conveniently taught by one teacher. The Minister did not agree “that it was desirable to make a sweeping effort to reduce the size of the classes to 30.” Something less heroic is to be attempted—a general reduction to 40, which means, of course, that some classes will be redueed to 40—which is too large by 10-—while others remain at 50 or over. It is rather astonishing that Mr. Wright should thifik it “not desirable” to make a sweeping effort to put within reach of all teachers and classes in New Zealand schools the chance to co-operate in sound education. The stern fact is that a class over 30 by more than a little is not a class of individuals, hut a herd; and it can be given only a herd’s instruction and discipline. It cannot be educated. Or, if a hero and genius here and there succeeds in working a miracle, the miracle only proves how vain it is to expect others to work it. It is not expected that Mr. Wright should promise the neeessary sweeping reform tomorrow; but it is expected that he should refrain from calling the attempt “undesirable.”