The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1882-02-01

Is no other particular does the develop
ment of New South Wales shew itself
more clearly than in the matter of educa-
ton. To this subject great attention has
evidently been paid The idea OF Sir Henry
PARK has been TO establish purely public
schools. the assistance which was at FIRST
given to sectarian schools will be with
drawn this year. and the only Institutions
that Will receive government support are
to be Of purely Unsectarian character
As the nineteenth century civilization de
velOps and progresses this line must neces-
sarily be taken From the same pamphlet
that was under review last week, a con-
considerable amount of information upon
the New South Wales educational system
can be gathered This colony has to meet
one Of the difficulties which trouble our
Board here, viz: having to supply educa
tioDal advantages IL districts which are
but scantily populated. In all districts,
where the population Is numerous, there
are fully organized schools; these feed
the higher schools and finally the Uniycr-
sity IN Sydney. But IN some Of the out
districts there are places where groups Of
children are living. not sufficient IN mum
bers TO Justify the Minister OF Public In
struction in establishing a thoroughly
equipped school, but whom, the State
recognizes, It cannot allow to grow up IN
ign0rance. Under such circumstances. half
q loaf Is considered better than no bread,
and what are known a. ~Half-time Schools
are established: wherever there may be
SIX or eight children. such an institution Is
started: the teacher does not devote his
whole time 10 one place, but has two or
three centres put under his charge, and he
moves about in rotation, giving what time
he can in each place. The system no
doubt Is expensive, but no State can afford
TO let matter of expense stand IN the
way Of allowing every child an opportu-
nifty of acquiring, at least, some education;
it Is capital well invested and brings in a
handsome return IN the future. UndOubt-
edly lesson may be learned from the
action of the New South Wales Govern
ment in this matter.
Another valuable hint may be taken. and
that Is the appointment Of 4 proper officer
to SUI eriEtend the planning and construct
ing Of all school buildings. The drainage
and ventilation Of schools are especially
under his care. and he Is held responsible
for any delinquencies IN this respect. OF
course, in Hawaii. II would be impossible to
have an officer, whose sole duty It Is 10 look
after such buildings, but there might Ger
tainly be q responsible officer into whose
duties such inspection should come. In
New South Wales, for some years, it was
the custom that all designs for schools
should be the work of private architect,
who was paid by fees; this, as the country
has developed, has given way to the pres
ent system which must be very much
better.
Perhaps one Of the strongest points in
the educational system under review Is the
efficient training OF teachers: this Is of
course only following in the footsteps Of
other nations and colonies, but here again
Hawaii may learn lesson. Mere school
teaching will rarely develop teacher:
there is an amount Of technical insIruc-
ton that all people, who enter the profes
sion. should have. 1t Is high time that
Hawaii should begin training her own
teachers: there is ample material to work
upon. and it would be money well spent to
have that material thoroughly trained.
Far more good would be done by spending
money on training 20 or 30 young men and
women how to teach the rising generation
property, than in spending Sl5.OO0, or what
ever it may be, in having three youths
educated IN military or naval tactics.
Here has been given some considerable
food for thought, the subject is one that
may not seem TO some minds an import
ant one; to others it may seem one that
those in Office should give their attention
to, and save the public the trouble of
thinking: but It is one which should inter
est every one IN the community, from the
richest to the poorest, from the most highly
cultivated to the most ignorant. Ques-
tions of education now form an important
plank in all political platforms.