Education for backward children

AUCKLAND: The subject of backward children was dealt with by the Minister of Education, the Hon C. J. Parr, at the opening of a new school at Devonport on Saturday. He said he was informed by officers of the Department that nearly 20 percent of the pupils in New Zealand schools were below normal classification standard. Out of every 100 children enrolled in standard III at the end of the year, 24 were over 12 years of age. Under normal conditions a child should pass out of standard VI at the age of 13. In standard IV 22 percent of

the pupils were older than they should be. Comparisons of returns inclined him to the opinion that the percentage of backward children was greater in New Zealand than England. In this Dominion the average age of a standard VI pupil at the end of the year was nearly 14, which he thought was nearly twelve months more than what should be the normal age. One of the principal reasons for this might be a necessary retardation of pupils in the infant division of the lower standards. “I think we shall have to insist upon the regular annual promotion of all normal children who have been regular in attendance, and upon more rapid promotion, especially in the preparatory division, of the brighter pupils. The necessity for special auxiliary classes for the instruction of backward children also would appear to be indicated.” Mr Parr remarked that the classes must be smaller. In order to obtain better results, more and better teachers must be found. “A

teacher with 70 children cannot give the attention to backward pupils. If he does, the brighter children must be practically still for months of the year.”