EDUCATION.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3913, 14 July 1881, Page 2

EDUCATION.

(To the Editor of the Evening Star.)

Sib, —It appears, that which all human creatures are seeking, consists for: the most part? in a moderately- active state of the mental and physical faculties. This golden means cannot be attained through any other process than Education, which form its latin origin " educo," means, in its widest sense, the drawing forth, or the development of the varied capacities of man's virtue, and should not be confined to the formal method and processes by which, in time of youth, this development is sought to be promoted. Education must bejthree fold, as regards the body with which man toils, the mind with which he thinks, and the character, in the spirit of which he lives. Physical education should be much more extensive and practical than at present. It should teach more simply the laws that regulate and the exercises that develop the growth of the bodily frame, and fit it for the healthy discharge of its different functions. Human physiology, aud the laws that destroy and preserve health, should be taught in so plain and practical a manner that the leading principles could be understood by every child. Intellectual eduoation must be adapted to strength and growth of mind. This is the department! where the utmost skill is requisite and where it is so lamentably deficient. To communicate knowledge successfully and usefully, the educator must be constantly. on the alert, not only to select and determine the most suitable objects of study ; but the best means of obtaining, through them, the desired educational results. Cramming is the vice of our present system. Primary Education, although,,it has received a Btrong impetus, is in a very imperfect condition. Legislators are beginning to learn that through it alone the masses will be enabled to govern themselves, and wisely and adequately hold their own in the great industrial struggle among the nations. The status of the professional teacher

must be mucli improved, if the Thames forms any criterion of other parts of New Zealand, and the moral character of its past public teachers with the slightest exception, is considerttfj the wonder will be, not at the paacity of good results, but at any good results at all. Upon this part of the subject observation will be reserved. The main work of primary schools must always consist of reading, writing and ciphering, but higher object! of study should be presented, tending to form sound moral character. As regards classics and mathematics, scfence and modern languages, a higher and more perfect programme must be arranged to and subjects must be taught which hare suit the necessities of the present time, hitherto received little if any notice. These and other reforms will, in due course be brought about. Our business, at the present juncture, is to guard against the efforts being made to introduce religious teaching and theology into the school: system. Unadulterated education will annihilate all political and social evil. Teach the children political and social knowledge. The country's success and prosperity, and its just government depend upon the knowledge of its offspring. Education and reason are deadly enemies4o.wipCT3tition and oppression. Let sectarianism get into our schools and the tide oF civilization will be rolled back hundreds iof years Vote therefore for those men only who will support unsectarian state edueaiion. Cast aside party feeling. Cast)|side favourite schisms. Ask not if youM£an« didate is a Greyite or a Hallite, a minion or anti mason. Ask first, will'lie assist in obtaining for our children, the best of all patrimonies that they cannot be robbed of or be taken from them, and the possession of which would have in earlier times saved us from those evils and misohief of which we so bitterly compliliniP^fie is your true and valued friend who answers this question affirmatively, and he is your own, your children's, and your country's enemy, who answers negatively, or, who saying " Yes," does not ''keep faith with his promise. The condition of your support and the standard of your approbation must ' rest in this question. Make this the qualification of your suffrage and you will speedily witness yourchildren advance a, to true free* dom. No truly educated nation can be tyrannised over or oppressed, Sound education ?■■. which ~< ; laarns. men to act, think,and unite'''irithpdecision, accuracy, and order, which teaches them their real political and social rights, and their duty towards and rights of, their fellow-men, is more valuable than riches, more enduring than good fortnne^more exalting than situation.. Intrigue and sinister design have hitherto given the few power and privilege over the_ ignorant and subjected many. Let education be secured to your descendehta, and the many will attain to their just rank among *he free citizens of the world.,■; If the people are to effect any permsneut improvement in their condition, they.must be united in opinion, and agreed in action, as to the practical objects after which they strive. The people can and do lose,, their powers only by dis-union. Whatever measures the people unite to carry they will carry against titles, riches, power, patronage, sophistry, and intrigue, against every influence of deep learning and sharp wits intensified by any sense of personal interest which can be brought in opposing array.—l am, &c., Bon Ami. Thames, July Bth, 1881.