American Educational System.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 779, 23 March 1905, Page 2

American Educational System.

Importing to the Wnngunui Education Jloard on Monday on his recant visit to the Cuitcd States and Canada in connection with tho cause of t.ducition, the Chief Inspector (Mr V. Cray) said: "All along the line there are elementary, high, evening and technical fchools and training colleges for teachers. We have much to learn, especially in the matter of training teachers and the equipment ol manual training and technical schools. The whole American system is permeated with the idea (hat the highest form, of mental training is obtainable only in conjunction with manual training. Tin; pupil teacher system is unknown in America, the supply of teachers being from «piip|>ed training colleges. (,> which onlv scholars who have grudunt.Nl with' credit from tho high schools are admitted." Reference was made in the report (o a visit paid lo the Alacdonald Consolidated Rural School near Toronto, to which children from a distance of three to six miles are con\e.\ed daily In vans. One school of 1.-jO takes- the place of about four small schools. The Inspector said : " The sooner we become alive to the great advantage given by this substitute for our numerous small schools the better for education in our country districts." As emphasising the necessity of advertising New Zealand in America, the lns|>octor said that in some |«irts surprise was iinniiftsled at the sight of u white man who was actually raisvd in New /biland. A remark made to him by the representative of a large school supply manufacturing establishment in Philadelphia illustrates the prevalent misconception about our enlightened and highly civilised corner of the world. The Inspector suggested that oceasibnplly the firm received orders from New Zealand. He replied, "I guess wo occasionally sell some stuff to American missionaries who go down there to work among tho natives." The Inspector added that he dare not say that this %morance was typleul, though all too common, our politics and laws are the of a great deal of discussion among Americans, who take n, kct« interest i« eur welfare. j