WAIRARAPA TEACHER'S INSTITUTE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2610, 10 June 1887, Page 2

WAIRARAPA TEACHER'S INSTITUTE.

At the quarterly meeting of the Wairarapa. Teaqhers' Institute, held in Carterton on Saturday last, a paper on iho Standards was read by Mr \V. T. Grundy. The writer, in introducing his subject, staled it was generally felt aiuongst teachers that the work of the standards was pressing too heavily on the children. In order to lighten the burden somewhat, he proposed several important amendment on the re> quirements, notably amongst them being the following(a). That the course of arithmetic be revised, and distributed over seven standards (a seventh standard being now recognised by the Department of public instruction), (b). That Geography lie made a class subject in all standards. (c), That English Grammar be a class subject, not a pass subject in standards 111. and IV, (d). That English history'be commenced in Standard IV, not in .Standard 111. (e). l'liat science and needlework should not be expected from country schools, with an average of less than a hundred pupils, (f.) That drawing in country schools should bo limited to two branches, freehand and model, or freehand and practical geomotry, at Iho option of the teacher. An animated discussion followed on these proposals, and was taken part in by Messrs Samuel, Brant), Buuting, MeFai'lane, Bakewell, and Connell. The criticisms of these gentlemen were generally favorable to the proposals, and in order that the subject might be further discussed it was proposed by Mr Samuel, seconded by Mr Connell and carried, "That members be invited to bring forward resolutions of proposed amendments to the standards, for discussion at the next quarterly meeting." On the motion of Mr Brann, seconded by Mr Bunting, it was resolved that steps be taken ut once to affiliate the Institute with the Teachers' liutituto of New Zealand.