AGAIN THE THREE R's.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 November 1915, Page 7

AGAIN THE THREE R's.

DEOLIXIXO AMONG THE STARS. A common complaint is that, the averago sixth-standard boy of to-day, when lie begins his career in the working world, is not so well grounded and founded on "The Three R's'' as his predecessor was twenty years and more ago (says the Dominion). The argument is that tlie modern boy's time and attention arc stretched between tiie sands of the sea and the cycles of the stars; he has a superficial smattering of various "ologies," by which he gets muddled notions of "science." His mind is projected into the universe by the little primers, and is there lost. Mere ends the mission of the primer and the teacher (who has to conform more or le.-s to the syllabus); the boy has to find guidance somehow in the vastness. From time to time the Minister of Education (the Hon. J. A. Hanan) has conversed on this subject with veteran hankers, merchants, captains of industry ami departmental heads. Knowing that long processions of boys have passed through their offices, the Minister has asked them how the school boy of to-day compares with one of the old times. The reply is always tlio same. The business and professional men say that the modern boy is inferior in the important things—reading, writing, spelling. composition and arithmetic. Always, too, the same explanation is given. It is that the boys of other days did not have to spread their energy over many minor matters. They were kept at a few foundation subjects (on which all the "ologies" are based), and these they had to learn truly and well.

'"Freif. secular and compulsory." is the usual description of Xow Zealand's education system. A fourth word Ims been added —it is ''sexle-ss.'' Cienorallv speaking, within the meaning of the Act, the boy is a girl and the girl is a boy for the purposes of education. The older statutes have ignored the Official Year Book, the vulgar volume which has the audacity to prove (on facts) that the average girl marries the average boy, and that the average adult woman has the care of a household. Mr. TTanan has resolved to do all in his power to bring the education system into reasonable conformity with Year Book facts.