TEACHING AGRICULTURE.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 May 1921, Page 2

TEACHING AGRICULTURE.

THE WORK IN TARANAKI.

REPORTS TO EDUCATION BOARD.

Several reports on agriculture instruction were presented to the Taranaki Education Board at yesterday’s meetings. Mr. H. D. Johnson reported as follows: — Secondary Classes.—Regular instruction has been given at Stratford District High School. The work in the classes taken by me deals largely with the matriculation syllabus. The teron tests just held show that the pupils are making satisfactory progress.

Primary Schools.—These schools are, 1 fear, not receiving ns much atttention as I would like. This is entirely due'to want of staff. At present we deal regularly with the pupils from 25 district schools at the centres Inglewood and Stratford. This ensues more efficient instruction along certain lines, but takes away time which was used in instructing the actual schools. I have duripg the month visited 23 district schools, and am glad to say that the teachers are carrying on very well indeed. In most cases the work is well up to the standard of previous years. Boys' and Girls' Agricultural Clubs.—During the past week I have been engaged with the Agricultural Department officers in the judging of the root crops grown by the members of these clubs. In all cases the members are pupils of primary schools, and are. 200 strong. The crops have been on an .average well cared for and the records carefully tabulated. Each school is regarded as a club, and has its supervisor, who is a prominent farmer. It follows, without exception, that where both parent and supervisor are keen, the results are good. The teachers have maintained the enthusiasm well and I think the sebeme must* be regarded as a distinct success. I have arrangements well in hand for the extension of this work and have the assurance that the Farmers’ Union will do all in their power to extend it. It must be clearly understood that trie Farmers’ Union isf the controlling body, and the Agricultural Department assist in every way. Yet, since the pupils are the members, and the teachers l:ave, as no one will deny, the power of creating or destroying a club, it is well that we should all work together. The great advantages of the scheme are:—-(1) The plots are on the pupils’ faiuns, and hence grown under farm conditions; (2) careful records are being kept—absence of record is Taranaki farmers’ weakness ; (3) solution of the school plot problem, in that the school year and natural year do not coincide; (4) greater and stronger link between school and home; (5) school becomes recording . centre for district.

Mr. W. E. Burley reported, inter alia:—During the past month classes have continued in New Plymouth and at Stratford. The work at New Plymouth continues on the lines of general science, with n few pupils specialising in physical science for matriculation durlug the next two years. At Stratford work for the first term is almost completed, and tenm examinations are being held. In the first, and second year classes the work Is general, giving pupils a foundation to fit them to complete, a course In natural or physical science, the programme including the higher chemistry for home science. The advanced classes In chemistry have made progress, and are now engaged in interesting practical work, the students appreciating the course. Mr. R. 'Syme reported, inter alia:—PriimarjSchools: During the early part of the month I went round the schools in the Awaklno district and, considering that these schools have not been visited for nearly two years, the work Is being carried out very satisfactorily, the nature studj’ work in a few of the schools being particularly well done. In this connection I would mention Okau School, where there is evidence of much interest on the part of children and teacher, both with their records of nature study work and with the practical work in the gardens and in the direction of general improvement to school grounds. At Mokau I. met members of the school committee re improvements to school grounds, and am in hopes that, something will be done there, as the committee are keen to give what help they can. Except for this trip through Mokau the visits to primary schools are almost at a standstill, owing to the large amount of time that was previously given to visiting countrj’ schools now being taken up with the primary school technical training classes at Stratford and Inglewood, and secondary classes at New Plymouth Tecnlcal College.