SCHOOL INSPECTORS' CONFERENCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8353, 8 February 1907, Page 5

SCHOOL INSPECTORS' CONFERENCE.

AN IMPORTANT MATTER. By Telegraph—Press Association.'" WELLINGTON, February 6. The question of grading school children according to their degree of mental alertness was brought before the School Inspectors' Conference, to-day, bj; Mr E. C. Purdie, of Auckland, who** moved that all, pupils in classes above Standard 111. be taught in the same school. Explaining his proposals, he said that in Auckland city and suburbs, where there were nineteen schools, he would have all the pupils of Standards IV., V., and VI., cpllected respectively into three central schools. This would afford greater facility for teaching and lessen the cost. For example/ if Standard VI. pupils were found to number 200 they could be divided into four classes of fifty each under four teachers and they could then be graded to a nicety. Under the present system teachers could never do justice to the bright or to the dull pupils. The project was supported by Messrs Mulgan (Canterbury) and Harkness (Nelson) and was carried by a large majority.

The motion has the effect of a recommendation to the Education Department.

Urging that the minimum salary for first teacher in the secondary departments of district high schools be fixed at £2OO, Mr Mulgan (Canterbury) moved that in the case of teachers' certificates the division within the class shall be determined on thej efficiency and practical skill shown, namely, on the inspectors' marks alone. The motion was negatived.