EDUCATION SYSTEM

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20988, 15 December 1939, Page 6

EDUCATION SYSTEM

The end of each school year gives an opportunity for a stocktaking of the education system, an appraisement of what has gone before and a resolution for the future. Especially in the higher schools, thp last day before the long summer holiday has become one of the most important learning days of the whole year because of the generally inspiring addresses of the headmasters and notable visitors at the ceremonies. In the Waikato in the past few days occasion has been given for real pride in the Dominion’s education system because of the quality of the advice given to the pupils, especially by their headmasters.

Criticism of New Zealand education methods is frequently heard at home. Probably as a result of that, constant watchfulness and criticism the system has gone from strength to strength till today every child has a wonderful opportuntiy of preparing himself or herself for a life career. Happily, ever-increasing emphasis is being placed upon the development of character, and as a result the moral tone of New Zealand schools is now higher than ever before. The profession of teaching has attracted a class of men and women thoroughly well qualified to guide the firslf' steps of youth upon the road of life. Study of the addresses delivered in Waikato schools in the past few days gives convincing evidence of that quality among the teachers that inspires youth to good citizenship. The worth of the New Zealand system can perhaps best be judged by comparison with education methods in other lands, and in that respect New Zealand has nothing of which it need be ashamed. In a large part of the world today children are taught to follow blindly in the path of some political demagogue. By such methods the whole character of a nation may be changed in a generation, as has been demonstrated in Europe. What is taught at School often becomes a standard for life. Therefore the teacher carries a tremendous responsibility. New Zealand is fortunate indeed in its education system.