TE AROHA SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 340, 6 February 1889, Page 2

TE AROHA SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The monthly meeting of the above School Committee was held on Monday evening last. Present: Rev J, Marshall, Chairman, Rev S. Lawry, Secretaiy, Messrs Ilott and Menses. Minutes of previous monthly meeting were read and confirmed. Correspondence : From the Head Teacher stating- school had been reopened that day. From the Board of Education enclosing Inspector Goodwin's Report on the examination held in November last. The Report stated that the total number presented was 159. Of these 3 were absent, 8 were excepted, 16 failed, and 72 passed ; the per centa'ge on class subjects (drawing, history, geography, elementary science, etc.), was 70 j whilst 78 marks were awarded on additional subjects. The Inspector in a foot note adds : " The P, classes are well taught ; they are making good progress. These results are satisfactory ; the weakest classes were standards 4 and 5. Those who passed showed neat and careful work. Discipline, behaviour, and general tone very good." From S. Luke, soliciting the Committee's support and vote at the forthcoming election to the Auckland Education Board. In his circular Mr Luke promises, if elected to, if practicable, give greater prominence to the teaching of agricultural chemistry in connection with elementary science and applied mechanics. Technical Education : A circular, dated Auckland University College, Jan. 22nd, was r<?ad from Professor A, P. W. Thomas, offering himself as a candidate for one of the vacancies which will occur on the Board of .Education on 31st March, and stating that in compliance with requests he has received from several school committees (on account'of the interest which he has taken in the subject of Technical Education in its relation to primary schools), that he consents to offer himself as a candidate. In the circular he goes on to say :— "I have elsewhere expressed the opinion that our educational system is two exclusively literary in its character, and pays too little attention to the real and practical needs of every-day life. I believe that in the Primary Schools we must chiefly aim at the training of all the faculties of the mind in preparation for the duties of life. The powers of observation and reasoning therefrom, which are so essential to success in all the practical occupations of life are especially to be cultivated, and this can only be adequately done by means of instruction in the various branches of elementary science. To this subject, therefore, much prominence should be given in the curriculum. These subjects, moreover, will form the surest foundation for Technical Education, the necessity for which will be universally conceded. We must remember when educating our youth, what their future occupations in life must be. There can be no question t'.iat the great majority must follow some one or other of the mechanical arts or the cultivation of the soil. The most important industry in New Zealand is now, and always will be, agriculture ; and, in our country schools at least, the elements of agricultural science should be an honoured subject. At present, unfortunately, it is, with few exception?, entirely neglected.

- It is in the hope that I may be able, in the above, as well as in other respects, to assist in rendering our system , of Primary Education more valuable, and better adapted to the wants of the people, that I now offer myself as a, candidate for one of the vacancies on the Board of Education." - ' Resolved that the correspondence received from candidates for election to the Board of Education be held over till the next monthly meeting of the Committee. The Chairman, reported that he had received a communication from the Board stating that the boy, Alfred Judkins, who bad been awarded a certi* ficate of proficiency at the recent Junioi Scholarship Examinations, would, by permisssion of the Governors, be admitted to free tuition at the Auckland College and Grammar School. He (the Chairman) had seen the boy's parents on the subject, and, at their request, telegraphed accepting the offer, Messrs Uotfc and Menzies were appointed a Visiting Committee for' the current month. This was all the business.