PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 1, 26 September 1919, Page 5

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

EDUCATION BOARDS PROTEST

DETRIMENTAL TO EDUCATION

The growth of private schools in the Dominion was viewed with somo alarm bv a number of delegates at the sitting of the conference of education boards yesterday, and in the course of a discussion a. unanimity of opinion on the subject was disclosed. The subiect was broashed in a Eawko's Bay remit, which ran as follows:—"That while protesting against the establishment of private schools, yet if private schools are to be allowed, Uie authorities connected with a proposed school notify the education board of the district of their intention to establish a school, and submit to the hoard information regarding:—(l) The buildings in which it is proposed to hold tho school and the accommodation provided thereby; (2) The syllabus of instruction proposed 1o be followed; (3) the qualifications of each member of the teaching staff; (4) and that the salaries paid shall be on tho scale provided in tho Education Act (with the exception of schools conducted bv members of religious orders)."

Mr. I-'. W. V. Smith (Nelson), in sunporting the remit, urged that they should all he loyal .to tho national 6ystem of education, and prevent it being undermined by privately-owned schools. In many of theso institutions the standard of education- was not equal to that of tho State schools, and their growth should he' discouraged in ovary possible way. They should guard wherever possible against private schools.' Mr. P. White (Taranaki) considered that the opinion of the conference,should be voiced as to the desirableness of discounting the growth of private schools, particularly as applied to preparatory schools for high schools. Other delegates condemned the establishment of private schools throughout the Dominion to the detriment in some cases of the children's education.

Mr. P. Pirani (Wangamii), in warmly 6upporting tlie resolution, instanced one private school comprising, eighty pupils which was run by the proprietress and three assistants at .-£25 a year each. Thev wero "aristocratic," . and could afford to work for less than ordinary members of tho profession-, who hnd to depend on their salary for a living. The salaries, paid by these private institutions should be in accordance with those laid down in tho Departmental schedule. He excepted religious schools, but nil others should be made to toe the line. The remit was carried unanimously: