MODERN EDUCATOIN

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 150, 21 December 1929, Page 14

MODERN EDUCATOIN

ENGLISH PUBLIC

SCHOOLS

ETON, HARROW, AND RUGBY

The English Public schools which aro best known by name to Australians and New Zealanders aro perhaps Eton, Harrow, and Kugby.

Tho early reputation of these schools, and the sentiment attached to them, writes Nell M'Queen in tha "Sydney Morning Herald," mako it possiblo for them to maintain their numbers, while charging a feo which in Australia is beyond the reach of most (somo £300 a year), although Bernard Shaw recently advocated turning them into asylums for the mentally deficient.

The main purpose of tho writer in visiting these schools was to find to what extent they have fallen into lino with the requirements of modern education. One thing which strikes tho visitor at once is the wide distribution of tho various parts of the school buildings. Not merely are houses at some distance from each other, but tho classrooms are sometimes widely separated, and a very great deal of time must be wasted in going to and fro. At Eton, for example, a quarter of an hour is allowed between, lessons. The reason for this separation is, of course, that the schools have grown in bits, and buildings have been added from time to time. One would think, however, that organisation would be more effective with greater concentration.

As might be exxpected, the classical tradition is strong in these schools, but both inside' and outside, it is agreed that the classics- are definitely losing ground. In the newer public schools, one is given to understand, the breach with the classical tradition is wider EVen in Eton there is a strong tendency to choose modern history for specialisation at the point where the choice may be made, while a great many choose modern languages and mathematics and science. PHYSICS AND CHEMISTEY. _ The science for the first ten years is in each case general science. No doubt this tends to be largely physics and chemistry, as these are practically the sole sciences in the middle school years, but one ■ gathers that a wider conception is being reached, and a good deal of biological science is definitely included, though there is little field work. In Harrow there is a special course on "Man and the Universe." Apparently nearly everybody who sits for the schools' certificate presents physics and chemistry. ■ For many however, it is merely drudgery, and the point of view often is that it is a course to be covered; they "do their heat," then they "do their light," much as in 'another sphere a man "does his five years." After the certificate they may specialise, and the number of those taking biology is increasing, though mainly with a view to the medical course. Some fine independent work was to be seen both in biology and anthropology There are, however, very few human specimens, and not much dissection of any specimens.

At Rugby, all* those who specialise in other directions must 1 do some science, including biology, though the work seems to be rather academic. At Eton, what are called' "extras" for the specialists • are alternative, many taking science, while there is a special agriculture course which is becoming more popular. At Kugby there is a Natural History Society, which makes four or five excursions during the year involving some 200 boys. HANDWORK A FEATURE. One of the.most striking features in all three sphob.ls was the provision* ina^e for handwork. Each of them has a special department for woodwork and metal work and engineering, and in addition to its being a part of the school work, every Boy is encouraged to take up some practical work by way of hobby. The boys have access to these departments on Saturd -s and Sundays. The teacher in charge of this department at Harrow, who is also a housemaster, spoke • enthusiastically of the beneficial .effect of handwork on the more academic work, often giving the ■boys confidence and ultimate success where previously they had been regarded and came. to regard themselves as iailures. The boys make all sorts of cabinets for themselves; they could be seen at work making petrol, engines, canoes wireless.;,sets,,and-;'so.-on.: . At Rusbv one boy has \made a; boat, fitted a motor, and gone home by water. ! ' This department; has been in operation at Eton for over 40 years.INTEREST IN MUSIC. ' It was interesting to find, the increasing interest being taken in,music. At Harrow there is a strong choral society which recently produced "The Pirates of Penzance." ... A new feature is the interchange of concert parties between Eton and Harrow, the performances being much appreciated. The Eton Music Society comprises between two and three hundred boys, and is regarded as part of the school work. The boy who acted as guide stated that a great many of the boys play some instrument, and the music is a real part of the school life. At Eugby it was stated that music was a feature of the school. A .choir of 80 boys, an orchestra, and' two bands1 (apart from the bugle Band) gave frequent concerts, while orchestras and professional concert parties frequently gave performances at the school, preceded by three or four explanatory lectures from the school director of music.

It was gratifying to find that the Boy Scout movement is recognised as being of very great value. Eton has several troops of Boy Scouts, and this fine movement has been taken up by other public schools as well.

With regard to external' examinations, the reaction of opinion against them, which appears to be much more advanced in England than in New South Wales, is felt in these public schools. Every teacher to whom the writer spoke complained of the incubus of the external examination. Dr Cyril Norwood, the headmaster of; Harrow, stated that though "schools are still well m the group of the external examination, there is a general reaction against them." Dr. Lyttelton, late headmaster of ±,f on, recently declared that he had only just come to realise how ■ wrong was nearly, everything they did. But now, .with. Eton providing courses in biology and 'agriculture, featuring music, making, handwork so prominent and running troops of Boy Scouts, the outlook is distinctly encouraging)