Wairarapa Daily Times. [Established 1874.] MONDAY, MAY 20, 1895. EDUCATIONAL REFORM.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5030, 20 May 1895, Page 2

Wairarapa Daily Times. [Established 1874.] MONDAY, MAY 20, 1895. EDUCATIONAL REFORM.

Wi; have always comlumiied the Now Zealand Educational system as productive of poor results by a Mechanical forcing process, and we are glad to learn that in England, where a greater degree of intelligence prevails, a new code has been adopted, which .shows plainly that this colony is behind the age in the nil-important, task of teaching children. The Cluistclmrch IVcss, writing on the new code states that under it: "Any Inspector may dispense entirely with the annual examination and substitute two t " surprise visits." So here wo have b at last to recognise by State official- . ism what all educational experts _ have been dinning into the ears of s officialism for years past, namely, that the truo use of examination and B inspection is to delect and prevent neglect, and to suggest and advise and encourage. We may safely say that in England, at least, the annual i examination for passes will in a few years be a thing of the past; teachers will be allowed greater freedom and the necessity for cram will cease. Many other wholesomo changes arc . (o bo found in the new code, and all in the same direction. For example, instead of the so-called " class" subjects, which are English, geography, elementary science, history, needlework, and domestic ' economy, a teacher may now substitute object lessons and suitable . occupations in Standards I, 11., 111, Also, time spoilt in visiting art galleries and museums under proper supervision is to reckon as school : time to the extent of twenty hours \ in the year. Cottage gardening is 1 recognised as asubjectof instruction for boys also. But nil theso ohanges, however liberal and enlightened, would be simply useless unless the hard-and-fast test of examina- ' tion had been swept away also." ; We nvo quite in accord with the opinions expressed by onr Christ- ] church contemporary. If the New i Zealaudcodo were assimilated to ]

the English one, and Bible lessons were part of tho every day school w curriculum, parents would get what w they are wanting, and a scientific °' and moral education would take the place of the mechanical and non- ' c ' moral system now in force. The g; strongpointsofourprcsentsystemare r< numerous and well-appointed schools , taught by efficient staffs, its weak ones an irrational syllabus and a more „ than useless annual examination. a The Christchurcli Press is to bo con- ii gratulated upon having called ii attention to the infinitely superior code which had been adopted in J England, and every thoughtful I parent will be glad to see a change '" here. Our educational system is said " to be popular, nuc[ for this reason it e is held by politicians to he right. Politicians are wise in their genera- J 1 tion perhaps, but every honest man ought to denounco it, and to endeavour to bring about an alteration in the direction of tho English » code.