SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 169, 11 April 1919, Page 10

SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS

NGAIO SCHOOL.

The annual report of lhe / Ngaio School Committee congratulates parents on the general good health of the children, .is evidenced by tho fact that at her last visit of inspection the Education Board's medical inspector had reported that there was no need of any corrective treatment. Tho roll at tho commencement of 1018 showed 12! l scholars, and at the close 17*2, while tho average attendance during tho year was 118, as against 130 for the previous twelve months.

Despite the heavy disadvantages iraposed by changes and reductions in the teaching, staff, excellent work has been done during the year, as is, revealed by the examination for free places Of nine children presented, eight gained proficiency certificates, and ono an endorsed competency. This highly satisfactory result is mainly duo to the devoted Work of the headmaster, Mr. AV. H. Clark, who is tireless in his dovotion to the interests of the scholars. The last term of 1!)13 was considerably shortened bv the closing of the schoolin common with others throughout the district—on consequence of tho influenza epidemic. In this connection the committee desires to express its warm appreciation of tile arduous and self-sacri-ficing labours of tho headmaslir, Mr. Clark, who was captain of the district, end directed the efforts of tho local committee.

The levelling work in school grounds has recently been completed by the board, after many delays from causes beyond the control of the committee. The bulk of the N levelled area, should soon be well settled, and the incoming oommittee should five its inimedialo attention to the matter of laying down the surface in asphalt, for use as playing area and tennis courts. Tho retiring committee has had this matter under consideration, and has in hand tentative arrangements for a series of money-rais-ing entertainments, etc. Although the health of the school continues good, the sanitary "arrangements which we are compelled to adopt are of such a primitive nature that their continuance for an indefinite period would be a menace to the l.eallli not only of the children and teachers, but also of tho families they represent. AA'e have in the past appealed in vain to tho board for tho installation of a proper sanitary system for tho school, and it is therefore a matter of great satisfaction to the committee to know that Ngaio is now part of Greater AA'ellington, as jve hope and trust' that amalgamation has brought within measurable distance the provision of water and drainage services in what was the borough of Onslow.

At till! last meeting of householders n year ugo resolutions were curried calling for:—(1) Smaller classes; (.2) irore air spaces per pupil; (It) abolition of at-tendance-basis in fiixing salaries; (t) better pay for junior and pupil teachers. Nothing lias been done in the direction indicated, however, with the exception of slightly better riiuwial inducements to those entering the leaching profession, aiid, despite the profuse assurances of politicians generally, it seems useless to expect: any appreciable improvement in educational matters until the rank and file of the voters throw off their iildifi'evonco and lethargy and decline lo tclurn lo Parliament any but' men pledged to spend tjomo millions additional on education.