P.T.A. President Calls For Keen Interest

Press, Issue 31095, 25 June 1966, Page 16

P.T.A. President Calls For Keen Interest

An appeal to parents to take a keen interest in the election campaigns of both political parties is made in a statement by the Dominion president of the New Zealand Council of Parent-Teacher Federations (Mr N. Heyes, of Raglan). “Ask questions. Insist on answers, let there be no acceptance of evasive replies or fears that too much publicity could lead to controversy,” says Mr Heyes. “Parents are entitled to information so that they may exervise the right of persona* judgment based on authentic facts.”

The parent-teacher organisation had no political party alliances, said Mr Heyes, as its main concern was children’s welfare and educational development He believed.

however, that it was essential for parents to receive a clear picture of party educational policies so that they could evaluate them.

Mr_ Heyes said inequalities of educational opportunity had been proven by the commission on education four years ago, but some of these still were not rectified.

“Over the years we have asked for better standards in many aspects of education,” he said. “There is a recurring refrain of insufficient national funds to meet even the admitted necessities of adequate development and expansion.. It seems clear, therefore, that if we want better standards we must make politicians understand that we, as taxpayers, are prepared to meet the added costs.”