TARANAKI TEACHERS’ INSTITUTE.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 May 1921, Page 6

TARANAKI TEACHERS’ INSTITUTE.

MEETING AT STRATFORD. A general meeting of the Taranaki Teachers’ Institute was held at Stratford on Saturday, Mr. W. A. Curteis, president, was in the Chair, and there was a good attendance, of members. A considerable amount of correspondence was received and dealt with. The question of attendance of pupils at musical and elocutionary competitions, deferred from the previous meeting, was considered. Information having been received from centres where competitions are held, it was decided on the motion of Mr. T. Thomas, seconded by Mr. W. A. Brown, that it is not advisable for school children to lose time in the competitions mentioned, and that exemption from school attendance be not granted. Twelve new members were elected. Mr. 0. J. Howarth then gave a very interesting and instructive account of his recent visit to schools in New South . Wales. • He found some very large ' schools in Sydney, up to 2500 in attendance, but 'they are divided into three departments, with a. head teacher to each department. Primary education stops at the age of twelve, after which pupils go to an intermediate school before proceeding to the high schools. Classes are not so large as in this country, the largest seen being one of 57, as against 80 and 90 in New Zealand. The equipment and surroundings are also better in many ways. The syllabus is more definite and arranged move systematically. Many schools have adopted Montessori methods, the apparatus for which is provided by the Government. The sole charge schools in the country districts do not compare with those in New Zealand as regards the type of teacher and the quality of work. There are several model country schools in connection with some of the city schools, but these are not a success, as they lack the proper rural environment, the best place for a country school being in the country districts. Some splendidly equipped school libraries were seen, and their effect in developing a love for literature was very great. In agricultural instruction New South Wales is behind New Zealand. There are no itinerant agricultural instructors, and the school gardens and grounds in the country do not compare with those to be seen around Taranaki, country schools. Medical and dental attention is on a better footing, as treatment is compulsory and free. Salaries of teachers are better than ours. A made teacher in charge of grade 2 school (under 35 pupils) may receive a salary of £338, or if he has what corresponds to our certificate he may receive £416. Other salaries are correspondingly higher. There is a different method of training teachers. Probationers are sent to the training college first and then sent out to the schools after they have received a certificate. Some headmasters, however, thought this not so good as the old pupil-teacher system, although the latter is harder on the trainee. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Howarth for his interesting and helpful address. Mr. Howarth proposed that grade 3 schools should be 30 to 7.2 pupils instead of 30 to 80. Seconded by Mr. Thomas and carried. It was mentioned that the school of average attendance just under 36 containing all standards and infants under one teacher was the hardest type of school to teaeh, and that an assistant should be appointed when the average attendance reaches 30. Mr. Howarth also proposed that the department be asked to expedite, the sending out of scheme books, work books, and suggested spelling lists. —Carried. It was decided to suggest to the Education Board that May 24 bo cut out of the list of regulation holidays, as Empire Day is now kept on Jilne 3.