The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and excat Justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. SATURDAY, JAN. 10, 1891.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2885, 10 January 1891, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and excat Justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. SATURDAY, JAN. 10, 1891.

Ax address by the President of the Educational Institute demands from every ruuu in the colony careful consideration. It is only ou occasions such ;is that on which Mr Htirrisi>n spoku on Tiifsciay, that t,hc opinions oi thoso wliu arc: cnli'iistc! with tin; education of the rising ouieration can he put heforo lhi- i.iu'i)iic. Tho of the service generally prohibit their taking any active part in political or iminicipal matters, or criticising tho system undi:r which they work. At tilt: annual meeting of the Institute they are released from the last of theso restrictions : the first two draw a lino between them nnd ordinary citizens at all times. Tho merits or demerits of this restriction we will not enter upon now: our business is with the address itself. To treat on each of tho questions touched upon by Mr MarrLson would cover more space than wo can devote to their consideration : we shall, therefore, confine our remarks to those which more immediately interest laymen, in that remedy or alteration rests mainly with them. The first subject that comes under this category is what is termed by some the "godless" system we are pursuing. Mr Harrison asks, "If it means that theology is not one of the branches of study, the charge is true." We perfectly agree with him vhen he points out that the cultivation of <;ood intellectual and moral habits should ha an aid rather than a deterrent to the acquirements of the doctrines and precepts of a trno religion. To use the words quoted from an American writer, il It seems hardly possible that in this age of the world and in this civilised state religion should stand in fear of general intelligence and personal freedom." This much is clear to our mind, that to introduce denorainationalism into our system would be practically signing its death warrant, and that the simple reading of the Scriptures without comment could only have the effect of wasting time with no comineasurato result.

]t is natural that a teacher in any degree above mediocrity should"chafe under the restrictions placed upon the exercise of his intelligence, Mr Harrison is evidently a sufferer. If wo may bo allowed to interpret his lootings, they nro that in , is pai-t of an educational machine and that ho is not allowed any scope for his professional talent.-, in other words. iJ! he is to hold his own in tho department or in public estimation he must bo a " standard grinder," not an educator in its best sense,

Tho president was particularly severe ou the pupil teacher system, and pointed out that children are f akoii from the upper standard and jilacod in charge of classes, and contrasts our own system with that prevailing in other countries where all luivß to graduate at training

sc]ini)l«. Hi- points out as tho cou--i'(jii(-ii(.ft tlmt they gain what knowledge of tho actual work of U'iiching which thoy may possess at tho oxi)eiiHo of the children Oiitrustod to thoir guidance. He aptioars. howi-ver. to luivo overlooked i ho ftiot tliat li.iving passed through ;ho schools themselves they must, uttlcs.? iihHolutoly imlitted to teach, have a fuir knowledge of rhn most effectual system to "staniliird grind." We recognise the ovil Imt cannot banish from our minds the fact that the trainingschools proved very expensive, and that tho teaching power created was exceedingly small in proportion. We will not touch upon the question of the centralisation of tho -.yliolo system in Wellington, as it is one that is not likely to bo seriously raised. Mr Harrison points out that the unnecessary multiplication of schools is not only a source of great expense but detracts from the etliciency of the schools thus congregated for the reason that the teachers in each are inadequately paid and inconsequence inefficient. That the evil exists there can be no question and that it should be so is only the natural outcome of popular govornincat.

As was only natural the President, alluded to the uneveness of school committees, he said : " Committees present a great variety of constitution nnd temperament, nud it. is to he hoped that they do not alu'iy.s fairly represent the average intelligence and public spirit of their particular districts." We sincerely endorse the sentiment.

Much as we oliject to centralisation we believe that it would be well that the Inspectors should be appointed by the Department in Wellington, and should be periodically shifted from district to district. Tito title " Inspector "' is to our mind very much iti a misnomer. In the first place the regulations of the service prohibit to a large extent the exercise of individual judgment. Examiners would in our opinion be a more fitting title. The syllabus is suspended in every schoolroom and the Inspector is bound to coniinn his questions accordingly. As ilr Harrison pointed out an efKcipnt Inspector should bo able to assist and direct the energies of the touchers, this is proverbially not tin , c;ise at present. It is anomalous that the Inpectors should be other than the. most experienced and successful teachers, if they are fit for the position they should be capable of conducting the largest schools and entitled to tlv? highest, pay going. If they are only examiners, they are on the other hand paid more than their services are worth.

The public will no doubt watch the discussion of the questions to be considered by the Institute at its present meeting with considerable eagerness, as it will be interesting to learn the opinions of the teachers and the facts and reasons they give for holding them.