RURAL EDUCATION.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 43213, 10 August 1907, Page 4

RURAL EDUCATION.

At the Agricultural Conference, in discussing the subject of agricultural instruction, Mr Gilruth said in France the teaching of agriculture was -art of the curriculum of the "rimary schools, tlie desire being to direct both the boys and girls towards country life. At the farm, schools, children from 13 to 16. children of labourers and farmers, were admitted as apprentices, and, carried out. the whole work of the farm. They had instructors in, all departments of work and military training and they received payment equal to about .£ll a year. Even the soldiers in. barracks received a course" of agricultural instruction. The Minister for Education the, Hon. G. Fowlds assured the conference, that the Department was in full sympathy with the desire to extend rural education. In 1905 there were 102 classes in ten different education districts the expenditure being £660; in 1906 there were 253 dosses in 11 districts costing £1480; and! in, 1907 there were 304 classes every district taking parti. The Hon. Rl. McNaib, Minister for Agriculture, said the prejudice of the lifelong farmer to the innovation of practical teaching was tlie greatest obstacle they had to deal with. The work would never von-b its full fruition until the generation of farmers Were men who, had received some of this elementary scientific education. The conference was a, proof that, the farmers now realised that, the future rested on, the education of the voung farmers. When that, was achieved farming, w’ould rival the finest professions in the country.