Page 135 - Constructing Craft

Philip Smithells 1946. Photo: Alexander Turnbull
Library.

For several months in 1944 Beeby’s changes became the subject of negative

criticism. Beeby was being accused of fostering policies that were termed ‘playway’

and the negatively perceived aspects of his changes were labelled ‘Beebyism’. The
business community claimed that standards were falling in primary schools. The

Minister of Education, H. G. R. Mason, however, stood firm and decided to hold an
education conference to counter the criticism. Beeby wrote the book, Education

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Today and Tomorrow that was published under Mason’s name, which outlined the
changes that had taken place, the reasons for them and demonstrated the clear
links with the NEF conference. They included four aspects of education raised at

the NEF conference: an emphasis on encouraging children’s self-discipline; greater
freedom for teachers; more learning through activities; and a growing emphasis on

children’s aesthetic development ‒ although it was noted that the last aspect had
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developed in a patchy manner throughout New Zealand.

The reason for the sporadic development of art and craft in primary schools and its
cautious implementation, besides the war and the associated shortage of materials,

was the lack of personnel with the knowledge and enthusiasm to drive the
programme. Beeby had the ability however, to recognise best practice and would

often grasp innovative programmes he saw as he travelled the country. One such

Constructing Craft