OXFORD'S CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18362, 21 April 1925, Page 11

OXFORD'S CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL.

TO TltF. EjITOR 07 "THE P2EBS." S:r,—l must crive space in your valuable paper to bring before the public the unjust treatment- of the West Oxford School, by the Education Department, and also by the Board. When the consolidated scheme was proposed the position of our school was discussed by the committee. the school being inside the present distance limit for conveyance. It was therefore decided to call a householders' meeting to air their views on the matter. It \ias decided after hearing arguments for and .against the scheme, that West Oxford would join in if the children were conveyed. That motion was forwarded to the Consolidated School Committee, who I believed were asked by the Minister to find out what schools would agree to the scheme. Now, Sir, my committee dir:cted me to write to the Minister for information on different difficult matters, one of which was conveyance, and to that lie replied that the Education Board had the power to reduce the limit. With riembcrs of the Consolidated Committee, I waited on the Board. The Board admitted haling tho power, but asked who was going to pay the cost. It was there and then agreed that the deputation and some members of the Board wait on the Miuister ou his next visit to Christchurch, but I was advised by 'phone that the Minister had no time at- his disposal to meet us on that occasion, and he has never had time since—which is only eleven months ago. The Minister has* stated through the Press that it was the intention to consolidate the country schools, but that each school would have the option. That, Sir, you can prove by looking up your files of October last—the exact date I am not sure of. "

Now our proviso , was there, and I have copies of a score of letters with, both Minister and Board, on the matter, and each in turn has just sidestepped the issue. The only definite information I got was when they had made a start on the new school, which is comprised of two rooms and a corridor, and they said then that they couldn't see how West Oxford could be omitted, especially now that they were' building the new school, but —note the "but"—the question of conveyance would be further considered. I forwarded a petition of the school district to the Minister and also to Mr Forbes, M.P., who also put our position before him. In replying, I was advised that tlie Minister was endeavouring to arrange transport, making a reduction of a mile for bigger children and half a milo for the little ones. That would still leave two miles from the new site. But not© this: the arrangement carried a proviso ''if there is room in the bus." So the Board reply is that "if there is room in the bus," they will convey West Oxford children two miles, over 10 years, and a mile and a half under ten. The Board's intention is to closo the West School and compel children that had less than a half mile averago to walk—to tramp through the frost and snow of the winter wo get in Oxford, and perhaps leave on a fine morning to come home drenched through, particularly "if there is not room in the bus." The school committee has done all in their-power to get justice done, but without • success and I trust the whole of the public of Oxford will take the matter up through the ; County Council and get this injustice removed. The Minister states that they are bringing in schools further out than ours, and that he couldn't have West Oxford out. But he omits to tell us that he will pick them up at their door and ' return them back after school. At the same time ho wiL be compelling ours tp walk two miles further than they had to do before. In conclusion, I would like to "point out that the committee and parents recognise that the consolidation of the schools should provide more efficient education. Most of us have heard Professor Shelley, a.nd quite agree with his views. But if children have a long distance to go to school, especially the younger ones, they will lose more than they gain - through being absent, as no ono could expect them to attend during much of the winter, especially if they havo to walk.—Yours, etc., THOMAS DOODY. ' Chairman West Oxford School. p.S.—Since writing I have been informed that the contract contains- no concessions for conveyance under the old 2 and 3 miles. —T.D. April 18th, 1925.