GIRL EDUCATION

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 333, 14 January 1937, Page 2

GIRL EDUCATION

Wider Cultural Grounding Necessary.

“Education, particularly with regard to girls, is being greatly reorganised in all countries,” said Miss E. J. Coppley, of Washington, who arrived at Auckland by the Maunganui. Miss Coppley for the last five years has acted as headmistress of the Evelyn Hood School for Girls in Washington and is visiting New Zealand in the course of a world tour. She tbld the New Zealand Herald she was disappointed her visit had coincided with the school vacation in New Zealand. On her return to Washington she will take up a position as headmistress of the newlyestablished Rothmore Cultural and Vocational. College for Girls. Miss Coppley said people were gradually beginning to realise that the ordinary curriculum as provided in most high schools and colleges was in the larger part useless to girls who wished to take up positions in either industry or art. A great deal depended upon the career chosen by a girl, but for those who had no thought of following a career, and who were later suddenly forced by circumstances to provide for themselves, no adequate provision had ever been made.

The ideal school curriculum for girls from 13 to 18 years of age encompassed many subjects. For one entering the professions, the ordinary school curriculum was more or less necessary. For the others, who actually formed the majority, many of the usual subjects were unnecessary. Miss Copley thought that in a girls’ school, whether the girls intended later to live- at home, op' adopt, some business career, th e curriculum should provide for at least two languages other than English, a comprehensive grounding in literature, a good general knowledge of geography, drawing and painting, the principles of mathematics only, a sound knowledge of home science and practical cookery, music and needlework. Typewriting, shorthand. and book-keeping should also be introduced. With a working knowledge of all these subjects a girl could specialise in any one branch if she wished. The ordinary curriculum equipped girls neither for the home nor for business.