TEACHING METHODS.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 March 1919, Page 6

TEACHING METHODS.

THE MONXESORI SYSTEM. At yesterday's meeting of the Taranaki Education Board, Mr. I'. J. White referred to a recent visit ho had paid to the Central Infant School at VV'anganui, where the Mont', fori system of teaching was in operation He understood the mistress in charge had been to New South Wales to study the system, and he was certainly impressed with the advantages of it. He mentioned the matter with a view to having something done in the same direction in the Taranaki district. He thought that even with the present buildings some effort could be made to introduce these latest methods locally, and he favored giving opportunity to some of the local teachers to visit the Wanganui S hool and see the system jn operation. Under ordinary circumstances, when the teachers here were free the school at Wai.ganui would also be closed.

The chairman (Mr. R. Masters) said he had seen the school mentioned by Mr. White, and approved of the methods adopted. He thought, however, that under the circumstances existing in Taranaki, they had not a school in which they could successfully introduce and carry on the system. The great essential was space, and that was what they lacked in the Taranaki schools. While he approved of the 3yttem he did not think it would be fair to introduce it in the larger centres at the expense of the backcountry schools. He pointed out thai, many of the teachers in the rat"*.')' departments of the Taranaki sc-iwiSs had Been the Wanganui set col, and aamt- of the methods ador. ted there had beer, introduced in the 3-lawera School, and were working aavisl'aaii.uly. With the prsicnt local facilities, he thought it would be waste of time and money to attempt "'„■ introduce the ayrtem here.

Mr. S. G. fc imth said he quite agreed that T&tar.aki snould not- lag behind other districts iu tbc matter of the adoption of the K>ost modern methods of teaching known. A start must be made some time, and ':><■ thought it would be a good step to have tae system properly reported upon. He thought the future held many changes in educational methods. While he did not believe in penalising the back-block schools for the sake of those in the towns, he oid not think that should prevent them trom introducing modern methods in the town, or wherever practicable in response, to the chairman's invitation the senioj inspector (Mr. A. Morton) said tie Montesori system wai originally designed for children of particular temperaments. Apart from thiit system thorn were good methods in use in Taranaki for dealing with the children at the age at which they came to the primary schools As used at Hawera the, i.Montesori system was an accompani-' ment rather than a displacement of th« other methods. Personally he would li»'.' to see all the first year, classes supplied with single tables like the Mont*. wi system provided, hut that would mean a great deal more room. The great essential to the successful teaching of infants was plenty of space-

After some further discussion the following resolution, moved by Mr. White and seconded In- Mr. Smith, was carried unanimously: That it is desirable to make fuller provision for adopting the most modern methods m teaching the infant classes of schools under the board, and a committee, consisting of the chairman. Mr. Smith and the mover, be appointed to consult with the senior inspector in reference to the equipment necessary, and report to the next .meeting of tne board.