THE KIHIKIHI SCHOOL.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2249, 7 December 1886, Page 3

THE KIHIKIHI SCHOOL.

The report of the Inspector of Schools for the late examination of this school only reached me on Saturday. The result has been highly satisfactory to teachers and pupils, the percentage of passes being 94*2, while in "class subjects" and "additional subjects " the percentage of marks was 90 and 80, respectively ; instruction of standard 7, and preparatory class being " excellent." The following are the subjects referred to, with the marks obtained for each:— "Class subjects," (possible marks 100) : Drawing, 100 ; history, 90 ; geography, 05 ; elementary science, object lessons, &c, 75. Total, 360 ; average, 90. " Additional subjects,"' (possible marks 20) : Repetition and recitation, 19 ; drill and exercises, 20 ; singing, 10 ; needlework, 18 ; subject matter of reading lessons, 14 ; extra drawing, 10. Total, 9G ; average 10, or 80 per cent. In the latter class, the most useful of all the subjects is needlework, and 18 out of a possible 20 in this branch is a matter for congratulation, and must be highly satisfactory to parents and pupils, as well as the teachers. The certificate appended to the report is as follows : — "Discipline and progress of the scholars very satisfactory. .Signed, Wm. Fidler, M. A., Inspector." All this proficiency on the part of the pupils has been attained without the very objectionable system of cramming, which unfoirunately obtains in some schools. Many parents and committees are apt to judge of a teacher's ability by the percentage of passes obtained at the examination, entirely regardless of the fact that many of the children may not be \ery quick at learning or have retentive memories. Besides these there are frequently other drawbacks under which a teacher may labour, such us irregular attendance, or an unwarrantable interference by some parents in the matter of punishment. A child is punished for some fault, disobedience or idleness, and on going home complains ; the father or mother gets angry, and by interfering encourages the child in his or her insubordination, the inevitable result being backwardness in the pupil. I am not referring to any of the parents of children attending this school, for I have not heard of a single case of the kind, but I have known such foolish interference gives rise to a great deal of trouble in other schools. It is quite time enough for a parent to obi^t if t l -e fhild be either tui)t r .jiy or too punished, oj punihhed at all by an assistant, for I hold that no one but the head teacher has a right to inflict chastisement. The tendency among young assistants is to punish by giving the delinquent a box on the ear. Now this mode of correction is liable to leave ill effects that will last while the child lives, while a caning, while it smarts severely, leaves no evil effects, providing none of the blows are inflicted on the head. Two of Mr Isemonger's pupils, namely James and William Cowan, have satisfactorily passed the pupil teachers' examination. They have been accepted by the board, and when a vacancy occui.* they can, if they choose, be appointed. They have also gone up for the Ci\il Service examination, one for the senior and junior, and the other for the junior. Should they exhibit a certain degree— which is fully expeoted, as they are clever, intelligent lads— they will receive a Government appointment so that they have a choice of two professions, or rather two classes of employment, for should they enter the Government service they will, I suppose, have the opportunity of adopting the profession for which they are the most fitted. Before Mr Isemonger's arrival here the boys were pupils of Colonel Smith, and they left the latter gentleman's school partly on account of the distanoe and the bad roads in winter time, and also because Mr Isemonger's abilities were of a much higher oider than those of previous teachers in the Kihikihi school. Their progress under Colonel Smith was highly satisfactory, and they found a worthy successor in Mr Isemonger. While on the subject of school committees a gentle hint to relegate Mr Goldie and his confreres to their proper places when the next board election takes place. That talented individual may be an excellent judge of timber, but it is evident he is quite at sea on matters pertaining to education, for his silly suggestion to curtail the holidays would, if carried, have done a great deal of mischief to teachers and pupils. I can say without fear of contradiction that no class of people has such a severe and continuous mental strain as school teachers, and a curtailment of their holidays — already limited enough — would Boon have the effect of causing the best of them to give up the profession, while the children could ill bear the heavy strain which would be imposed upon them. I hope committees will take the hint and elect more sensible men next time.— (Own Correspondent.)