THE GOVERNOR ON THE EDUCATION SYSTEM.

Temuka Leader, Issue 256, 6 May 1880, Page 2

THE GOVERNOR ON THE EDUCATION SYSTEM.

.*■ Wellington, May 4. ,'■*,. in ;; hiß:;speech, at the; opening, of the '''iSiomjil' , |choiil,l3h'»v'enii»r Robins.«n »*ul he hail carcftitlf observed the working of eltfcati«>iiAl schemes her», in ~ ■otlto; countries.. U« thought the NeW~ .Soflth Wales seheane advisable in g?nc~ rat 'uVsign, l»u't'- -defective iu one or two .lpt.iiis. It was, % Wiev--1, tiio most comprehensive ambitious a>.-h*mc of free psiblic/instructioriV yet ad ipted by my country iu the world; buV he expressed a doubt.'.whether the programme of primary instructions was not too varied, and likely to prove too costly. Considering the early age at which the majority of children were removed from school, the cramming them with instrnction in such a variety of subjects would tend to lower the standard ot efficiency in reading, writing, and arithmetic, the objects of primary importance, and thus substitute a smattering of many subjects for the thoroughness in a few. It was doubtful, too, whether the attempt to provide machinery lor supplying tha whole of the youthful population of the colony with free education of the nature and advanced character embraced in the six standards, will not entail upon the country an expenditure more heavy than can be borne. Ho.expressed great re" gret that all local sources of revenue, such as school rates and fees were;done away with. Ho thought attendance should be compalsory, and also small fees be charged. He thought the extent 'to which moral training is" ignored in the national pi ,n of education was to be regretted. The compromise regarding Bible reading adopted a t Home and in New South Wales, ho thought a wise W. He spoke strongly on this point, quoting a number of authorities as to religion being the best foundation of morality. He conclude.! by laying—"l have just stated tjyou frankly what appears to me to be the weak joints in jour educational plan, namely, that it will entail a larger expenditure than the general revenue can well defray Without assistance from local sources, and that the course of instruction prescribed fails to inculcate sufficiently the observance ot those moral obligations which are essential to the welfare of Society. (Load applawse) VfWi thesetsexceptw I thin* that your scheme of national eda- „ j ca*i<>n is one. of wnic « any 1 flight feel proud, and that it is beingifl administered with an earnestness and ability,which is deserving of all praise.*'