MAKERS OF HISTORY

The statement of philosophy for education in Prince Edward Island says that every boy and girl should have the opportunity to attain full potential in life. This noble objective, generally accepted today, can be realized if parents, teachers and the community, including school boards and legislators, work in a climate of understanding, good will and co-operation.

Over the past two decades thousands of concerned parents and dedicated teachers have met regularly in groups large and small to seek ways of improving the educational picture in P.E.l. The measure of their success must be the modern school plants, higher teacher qualifications, diversified curricula, school libraries and resource centres, lower dropout figures, and the value of all of these in the lives affected by such achievements.

The changes in Island schools throughout the years are reflected in the following vignettes written by the men and women who were elected by the provincial membership to co- ordinate and carry forward the ideas and concerns of the local associations of Home and School. In the recollections of those who have served as presidents of the Federation, a sketch of years of rapid educational change emerges. These reports also demonstrate that education is an ongoing effort, ringing with challenges old and ever new, to meet the needs of children today and tomorrow.

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Experience is our most effective teacher. Happy experiences aid growth. Failure and discouragement hinder development. Uncertainty about our next step stunts growth. If young people are mis-used, they will rebel. If they are happy and feel that they are a part of their home, their school, or their community, they will adopt adult standards. It is important, therefore, that adults

have standards worthy of imitation. - L. A. DeWo/fe