EDUCATIONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 45, 2 June 1910, Page 8

EDUCATIONAL.

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT'S .\IET 11,UDS CONDEMN ED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunedin, Last Night. The annual meeting of the Country School Committees' Association was held this afternoon, and was largely attended. ; The Rev. P. B. Fraser. who presided, read a 1 very lengthy address 011 the subject of primary education in rural schools of the Dominion. The speaker attacked Hie methods adopted by the Education Department in regard to rural education. He quoted statistics to show the increased expenditure by the Department on a smaller number of pupils, and the deplorable failure of the proficiency examinations, as compared with the former system of inspectorial testing. The system of grading by teachers was condemned, and the bad results of proficiency examinations were attributed to that cause. The attitude of the Department towards education boards) was strongly condemned.. Beference was also made to the increasing number of uncertificated teachers, and to the preponderance of women over men. Mr. Fraser suggested, as a practical remedy for some of the evils, that the number of smaller schools be grouped, and that an organising and supervising inspector be appointed, slid) official to make monthly visits. Mr. Fraser concluded bv moving that the resolutions passed last year .be reaffirmed. They opposed the new system of examinations and inspection, protested against the examination of country scholars at centres for proficiency certificates, and advocated ?, different classification for country schools as' compared with town schools, These motions were affirmed. J The R< v. P, B. Fraser was re-elected president. - - 3* : THE EXAMINATION QUESTION. BETTER CLASSIFICATION ADVISED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunedin, Last 'Night. At the annual meeting of the Otago branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute to-dav, a resolution was adopted aiiginff that me'ical experts be appointed for the examination and treatment of school children. A lengthy discussion took place regarding the proposal that the Education Board be asked to classify the teachers for promotion, and that a committee 1 of the Institute be appointed to consider a suitable scheme of classification. Various opinions were expressed, some favoring a scheme of classification for the whole of New Zealand, and otfrei's urging the division of the Dominion into . four districts. Eventually it was decided that the 'Education Board's attention be again i directed to the urgent necessity for a 1 scheme of classification and promotion of teachers, as formulated bv the New Zealand Educational Institute in 1008. Motions were also .passed advocating that an elementary knowledge of physiology and hygiene fie made compulsory in public schools, and endorsing a resolution of the Auckland Institute, which! expressed the opinion that the issue of free school books was not a success as at present conducted, 1 Class D examination be taken in the same way as the Class 0 examination.