EDUCATIONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 152, 23 July 1909, Page 2

EDUCATIONAL.

(UiOI'IHXG OF COUNTRY HIUII SCHOOLS. By Telegraph.—Press Association, Dunedin, Last Xight. At a meeting of the Education Board to-day, a circular was received from the Education Department suggesting means whereby a more intimate relationship may, be brought about between the course of instruction at the district high school and rural pursuits. The Department suggested the grouping of small district high schools and arranging for classes bearing specially on agriculture being taken by itinerant instructors. The Board's inspectors expressed entire sympathy with the Department's aims, but they were of opinion that the adoption of the scheme would deprive country children of a fair share of other education. They thought it would be icccssary to make the course of study such as would qualify both for rural pursuants and for public service. Such n course would suit the requirements of about 7o per cent, of the pupils in the {listrict high schools, and the inspectors believed it was in the power of the Department to desig-.i it, as it involved little more tlwn an extension of optional subjects for the Civil Service junior examination. It was decided to forward a copy of the inspectors' memo, to the Minister with an expression of the Board's entire sympathy with the end sought to be obtained, and of their readiness to co-operate in the matter, provided the interests of the children are safeguarded in the directions radicated by inspectors.