GENERAL APPROVAL.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20283, 27 August 1937, Page 8

GENERAL APPROVAL.

EDUCATION POLICY OPINIONB OF AUTHORITIES LESS HOME-WORK SUPPORTED General support has been accorded the changes In the Government's educational policy (announced by the Hon. P. Fraser, Minister of Education, in a statement read at the School Committees Federation’s Conference at New Plymouth) by Hamilton educational authorities. The proposals, they state, have been advocated by teachers for a considerable time. The proposal to abolish home-work in primary schools and to curtail it in secondary schools, was regarded by several members of school committees as a very beneficial move as in the past home-work had tended in many cases to harass the pupils unnecessarily. In primary schools, home-work formed a too-important part of the curriculum and the majority of parents were, they claimed, against it. Although in the primary schools the teachers benefited from the libraries to a greater extent than the pupils, the increased grant would be welcomed. Central Control Another important proposal in the scheme was the reorganisation and unification of the education system. If that involved the control of several schools by a central authority, it would mean that an important step towards modern and simpler education had been made by the State. The secondary schools in Hamilton, said one committee member, realised that a great mistake had been made by building two schools on adjacent sections and controlled by separate boards. Mr F. A. Snell, a member of the Auckland Education Board, said the worst feature of the old system was the size of the classes, which were far too large for proper supervision. Under the new policy the classes would possibly be considerably reduced. The old cry that the country’s finances could not stand such a move had evidently been forgotten with the better times. It was Mr Snell’s opinion that homework was not required in the primary schools and its curtailment in the secondary institutions was a wise proposal. Children at one time had four hours’ night work, which had a detrimental effect on their health. The position had been alleviated in recent years by the tendency to give less work, for it was realised that education was impossible unless perfect health was enjoyed by the child. The introduction of the school leaving certificate in primary schools to replace the proficiency was approved by Mr Snell providing the standard of work was not lowered. Many children when they came to face examinations collapsed owing to nervousness and as a result failed. Vocational Guidance Officers Included in the Government scheme was the appointment of vocational guidance officers. Mr Snell stated that this matter had been discussed on various occasions but it was difficult to obtain suitable persons to act in that capacity. In his opinion the teachers who had continual contact with the children, would be the best supervisors. Mr Snell thought that in time all small schools would become consolidated; parents were realising the value of larger schools. Commenting upon the proposals from the teacher’s point of view, Mr W. A. Curteis, headmaster of the Hamilton East School, said the proposal to grade schools on the average role for the first four weeks of the third, term, instead of on the percentage basis, would be supported by all teachers. Home-work, said Mr Curteis, has been replaced to a large extent by the teaching of arts and crafts, and literature. The reorganisation of educational control had been advocated for some time, said Mr Curteis. With fewer governing bodies no overlapping would be experienced, while school grants could be spread equally over the three schools. Boarding allowances would be appreciated by parents who were being burdened by the increased costs, he concluded. Abolition of Homework. Commenting on the proposed abolition of homework, Mr F. W. Mead, secretary of the Hamilton School Committees’ Association, said he regarded home-work in tlie light tiiat employer and employee regarded overtime. Overtime work was seldom profitable and usually unwelcome to employees. W hen a child returned from school he should have finished his day’s work and in any case in lliese days when radio sets were so general it was practically impossible for a child to do homework without serious interruption. lie thought, however, that the total abolition of home-work would not be advisable unless longer school hours were instituted. “ In any case it is safe to say,” remarked Mr Mead, “ that 80 per cent, of homework is never done by the children.”

One of the essential features of the new policy, added Mr Mead, should he the re-fnstitution of subsidies on private funds. In most cases capitation grants weer adequate but the removal • the late Government of subsidies on amounts raised by schools had caused committees considerable embar-

Ihe substitution of the proficiency Meo, was nnt ,avour cd by Mr Mead, who considered that at present for a pupil who went to work after »a\ing primary school, the proficiency ccriiiieate was the only record of abilt>' ike j- to be of use to employers. the leavmg certificate corresponded !, esiinionials issued by headmasters d was not likely to prove such a reliable Fu.de as a certificate (riven for a recognised standard ~f ], m |lclencv