The Hawaiian gazette., 1904-01-12
THE SCHOOL QUESTION

Editor Advertiser: The editorial in
the Advertiser of the 9TH inst. on
Modern School Methods, brings for
ward a subject that deserves the con-
sideration(of all those interested in the
education of their children, many par
ents having expressed the most ex-
IRENE dissatisfaction with the present
system of teaching.
The fault that you point out-the
crush of subjects thrust upon the de-
fenseless child--is due to the confound-
ing of things unimportant with things
important. Worse still, of having the
former taught with an emphasis equal
ing, IL not exceeding, that used for the
latter; what might be given as a re-
ward or a recreation is taught as seri-
ously as a necessary branch.
Eight years are given to the primary
and grammar grades, and these years
are filed to the brim with green frogs,
blue and white sky, the worm that
creeps, the butterfly, etc, ad nau-
seam, to the serious detriment of the
real work. For in all that time they
learn only separate, inchoate facts, es-
pecially in mature study" and the net
result in practical work does not justi-
fy more than three years time.
To quote one parent. They doubt the
ability of the child" and kindergar-
ten methods are extended far up
through the grades, so that one finds
him at ten, or even twelve, still fed on
mental mush; with the result that he
is as incapable of application as he
would be of walking, If he were carried
in arms and never allowed to use his
muscles until he reached the same age.
Then comes a sudden change, and,
without transition, the child is expect
ed to use his pulpy mind. Naturally
he cannot. Astonishment on the part
of the teacher; vain struggles on the
part of the parent. Fortunately for
the boy of today, his father was edu-
Gated yesterday, and knows-for in
old-fashioned times, before there was
"child-culture," teachers taught and
children studied.
This topic is inviting and one Is
tempted to enlarge indefinitely. AS
you have started a very pertinent sub
ject for discussion, let us hope that
to see whether we cannot, by uniting.
change the present course of study to
something practical and beneficial to
our children. There are many parents
in Honolulu, that are qualified to form
an opinion, and who doubtless, have
done so. If they can be induced to
express it, and to critise the curric-
ulum in an open discussion 1T may
be possible to obtain a modification of
it-at least to the extent of giving the
teacher time TO teach in school, and
the pupil time to study.
1t is true, as you say, that as schools
are conducted now, the child who is
not helped at home, has little chance;
and children work long hours out of
school when they should be playing
or sleeping. A prominent physician of
San Francisco, who has made a special
study Of schools and children for years
past, says that no child under thirteen
or fourteen should do any home work.
If this is true there, it certainly is
more applicable here in our enervat-
ing climate.
1 beg to differ from You when you
say in your editorial that of all the
people concerned, the teachers get off
the easiest" The multiplication of
subjects that has been thrust upon
them by theorists and faddists, has, in
many cases, made their lives a burden.
They dare not resist, however, for fear
of displeasng the powers that be.
In conclusion, it appears that in the
present state of things, teachers,
pupils, and parents are all suffering
from the system of intensified child
culture"
The mountain iabored, and brought
forth mouse
A PARENT.