TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 December 1920, Page 2

TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

! PROGRESS IN TARANAKI., Mr. A. hj, Moore, Director of Technical Education, yesterday reported to the Taranakl Education Hoard as follows: During the month I visited, in company with Mr. Johnson, a number of schools In the southern district, and J, am pleased to report that thore was abundant evidence of careful instruction aud observation work by the pupils. The note book in imost cases had well arranged and' carefully kept notes and. records, and school grounds and plols Bhowed on the part of the teachers pride in their environment and enthusiastic work. Mr. Johnson reported as follows: Altogether I have visited 22 primary schools, and found the work well in hand, with distinct signs of progress. In most schools the sowing of seeds is now past, and much very useful » observational work on germination has been carried out in conjunction. It Is pleasing to noto that in many of tlie schools trere is now adopted a systematic course of Nature study for the primers to standard VI. I would also like to mention the exceptionally good; Nature study work that is being done this year In the sole-charge schools. iThe schooils taking part in the Potato Shield competitions (Kltham' and Stratford distrlcia) are carrying out the, work carefully and well, while the JSO competitors in the mangolds competition of the boys' and girls' agricultural clubs have ali made the necessary sowings and the 60 competitor* for the swede-growing competition are awaiting further instruction. Secondary.—Regular work has been carried out at Stratford, chiefly bearing oil the examination witlt the second year pupils, while the first year pupils are carefully tending the many "cuttings" and sowing seeds of various' hedge plants. A very successful day was spent it Mr. Banfotd's Jersey farm. Both boys and girls from the secondary department of the District High! School, and the senior pupils of the aurrmiiidinu primary schools, were In I attendance—about 120 all told. Mr. Itanford very ably demonstrated the points or the dairy cow Drst, niter which the pupils were given an opportunity of judging. It is worthy of note that the girls wero superior to the 80y5.., I would clearly point out that, this work is of great value, as it gives the practical application to the Indoor teaching, Teaohers.-r-Trese classes finished at the end of November. Tho attendance and enthusiasm were both very satisfactory. At the concluding examination, all but one qiiallßed for practical certificates in agriculture,, and all but two in dairy science. I have refrained from granting practical certificates unless the candidate gives evidence of having sufficient knowledge to give a reasonable chance of success in the teachers' "D" examination. General.—This year tho Stratford Agricultural and Pastoral Show included in Its schedule twelve classes deaflng with rural exhibits from primary sctools. The displiiy was excellent, and I believe the best exhibit I have seen staged. The educational value of the subject in the development of the child was clearly demonstrated by the accurate, comprehensive graphical that were exhibited—individual observation aud record stood out as the keynote of the whole exhibit. , While being unwilling to specialise, yet I feel special mention should bo made of the work from Ohangal School, the graphical results and Nature charts' from Matapu, and the Nature study books from the sole-charge schools (Pukehu, Walau, Meremere and Ohkura). The juvenile cow-judging was divided this year into two classes--(l) primary pupils; (2) secondary pupils. There Were 61 entries for the former from Rlverlea, Matapu, Manaia, Tokaora, Ngaere, Inglewood, Toko, Tarlki,s Midhlrst, Mangatoki. Soma good score cards were tanded in, giving evidence of careful training. In the classes for secondary pupils there were 89 entries, all from the Stratford District High School. This year, for the first time in New Zealand, I believe, there were boys' and girls in this class. I believe that this Is a distinct forward step, and it is very Interesting to note that the winner was a girl, and second place was also gained by a girl. The score card handed in by the winner was of exceptional merit, aud was very favorably commented on by the judge. Mr. Syme leported: In all 19 visits rave been made. At the Inglewood, Tarlki, Midhirst, Toko and Huiroa Schools lessons have been given on the points of the dairy cow, and practice given in cow-judging.