MASTERTON DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 986, 4 March 1910, Page 5

MASTERTON DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

SPECIAL MEETING. A special meeting of the Masterton District High School Committee was held in the secretary's office last evening. Present—Messrs R. Brown (chairman), T. J. Thompson, C. Perry, A. Hendry, H. J. O'Leary,, W. M. Easthope, G. lowiisend, A. Chapman. Mr W. H. Jackson, Headmaster, was also in attendance. The meeting was called for the purpose of meeting Inspector Fleming, to discuss the new school syllabus. . Inspector Fleming asked the committee what were their main objections to the new syllabus, and the chairman explained that it was objected to by "a number of the parents on the ground of the rural course being of a compulsory character. A long discussion ensued, the infi.'; : » -------- • ,-,.._. ' _ _ . , formation imparted to the Corn" mittee by Mr Fleming being listened by them with evident interest. Mr Fleming, in the course of discussion, said that the programmes of the secondary schools in New Zealand were behind those obtaining in other countries of the world. Reverting to the raral course the Inspector stated that such a course tended to make pupils more observant and accurate in their studies, as well as educating them in useful accomplishments. With regard to the four years' mathematical course it was explained that the object in instituting it was that those pupils, who subsequently attended the University, would not have to do there what was, practically, secondary school work. The programme was based on a four years' course, and if the Committee wished it done in three years they would be taking a step backward; teachers in secondary schools were in favour of the four years' course. It was, also, pointed out that the syllabus generally was designed to benefit the many. At the conclusion of the discussion a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr Fleming, on the motion of the chairman.