TEACHING BY MAIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 September 1922, Page 5

TEACHING BY MAIL.

REACHING ISOLATED PLACES’. A DISTINCT SUCCESS. (By Wire.—Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, Last Night, Over two hundred New Zealand children living in isolated districts are being educated by post through a special branch of the Education Department. This system was mentioned in the House of Representatives to-day by Mr. A. McNicol (Pahiatua), who suggested that the Minister for Education should tell the House what was being done. He believed that the work was good. The Hon. J. C. Parr replied that the facilities for education by post had-been made known to the Education Boards and to the inspectors who entered the back country. He might arrange pres : ently for further publicity in’ order that all the children who needed tire assist-* ance might be brought into touch .with the department. The children of settlers living fifty miles from schools, of lighthouse-keepers, and others were receiving correspondence education at the present time. An experienced primary school teacher was- in charge of the course and this lady (Miss. McKensie.) had about 209 children. taking her lessons. Although the system had Been, in operation for only six months the results already were highly successful. The system had revealed a. certain amount of illiteracy, added the Minister. There were in the backblocks children of twelve and fourteen years of age who could neither read nor write, but the response of the children to the lessons was particularly good and the letters that were reaching the department from parents were most gratifying. He was assured that the progress of the children who received their education by mail was very often as rapid as the progress of the children who attended the ordinary schools.