EDUCATION REFORM.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 May 1920, Page 5

EDUCATION REFORM.

NEW MINISTER'S SCHEME. MORE. SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS. By Telf'Srnph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Addressing the Education Conference, the Hon. C. J. Parr (Minister of Education) outlined important proposals regarding educational reform. The Minister, who was accorded a most enthusiastic hearing, said he desired to introduce a number of subjects for a full and - free discussion with reference to educational reform in New Zealand. He wished to take advantage of the presence of all the inspectors and representative teachers from all over New /Jealand to discuss important matters which came within their own peon, liar province. He wanted them specially to discuss the question of re-casting the whole syllabus of instruction, with the object of providing for:— (a.) The termination of the primary school course at approximately the age of 12 years. (b ; ) The preparation of pupils for admission to the secondary schools at the ago of about 12 years." (c.) The establishment of central schools, at which pupils who do not proceed to secondary schools, will continue their education after passing the primary stage. (d.) Further instruction in a primnry school for, say, two years, of pupils who completed the primary school course in localities where the establishment, of central schools would be desirable. (e.) A scheme of continued daylight education to, say, the age of 18.

The Minister, proceeding, said all the world over leading educationalists were advising a re-easting of the whole primary system of education on the lines l:e indicated. Such proposals obviously meant more schools and more teachers, but that was no reason whv, if it meant expense, New Zealand should lag behind the rest of the world., Thev could carry on from twelve to fifteen years with a post elemntary course in most country nchools. In cities, of course, there should be no difficulty. He was afraid many children lost a lot of time under our sixth standard course as it at present existed. Elsewhere, they were cutting down the •.djmentary courses and starting a secondary course at the age of 12 years. It was held that knowledge of "the three R's" should be rooted and established by the of 12. He quoted numerous authorities abroad as showing the trend of education reform, and f n this connection he specially emphasised the importance of establishing central schools.

People at Home, lie observed, since the war had been taking bold of the problem with both hands." Were we not togging behind ? What he wanted to hear them specially discuss was the establishment of elementary schools for children between six ■ and 12, intermediate schools for children between 12 mul 16 not attending secondary schools, and secondary schools for children between 12 and IS. The Minister, in concluding his address, said the opinion of .the leading educationalist in Australia (Mr. Frank Tait) was that unless they frankly recognised that elementary education ended at 12 years of age a proper development of the intermediate and higher education was impossible. After discussing the Minister's scheme the conference carried the following resolution: ''That the whole syllabus of instruction lie re-cast with the object of providing for: (1) The termination of the primary school course at approximately the age of twelve years; (2) the preparation of pupils for admission to secondary schools at the age of twelve: (3) the establishment of oentral schools, whereat pupils who do not proceed #o .secondary schools will be able to continue their education to the age of sixteen."