EDUCATION COMMISSION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 300, 15 June 1912, Page 5

EDUCATION COMMISSION

THE DUNEDIN SITTING. By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunedin, Last Night. The Education Commission opened its > sittings here to-day, all the members being present. It was decided to ask the Minister for an extension of time of a month in which to report. Professor White, principal of the Training College, said that the effect of an increase in the number of subjects taught in schools detracted from educational value. He believed the co-ordina-tion and concentration scheme to be an absolute failure. The syllabus might be simplified and some subjects not taken so early by pupils, while others might be omitted altogether. Boys should be compelled to take some instruction in technical schools. Physical training should be compulsory. Practically the work at present was far too great. The heads of large public schools should receive larger salaries. He was opposed to the importation of young teachers from Home. Mr. Peter Goyen, ex-chief inspector, submitted a statement showing the cost of education per pupil to be £3 Is M in 1900 and £3 3s Cd in 1910. The increase in efficiency was not commensurate, he thought. The country was not receiving an adequate return for its expenditure on education. This was partly due to overlapping. The syllabus was overcrowded, and many classes in towns and suburbs were too large. Mr. Agnes Marshall, director of the Technical School, advocated a council of education. The matriculation standard might well be raised. About 51 per cent, of the pupils passing the fourth standard never passed the sixth. A council of education should consist of retired inspectors, business men, and others in direct contact with education, to confer with the Inspector-General or the Minister of Education. Mr. G. W. C. Mac Donald, representing the Teachers' Institute, advocated the formation of four boards to control education in the Dominion. He urged greater facilities for the removal of teachers from one district to another. The money spent in education should come out of the consolidated revenue. j The Commission will sit again to-mor-1 row.