BACK-BLOCK SCHOOLS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 235, 29 June 1920, Page 5

BACK-BLOCK SCHOOLS

RELIEVING TEACHERS PROPOSED HON. C. J. PARR'S SCHEME Discussing the provision of teachers for country children in small aided schools,. the Minister of Education, tho Hon. C. J, Parr, said yesterday that the Government felt strongly that the children of the Klack-block Settlerß should have_ reasonable educational facilities. The idea of establishing hcstels hi certain country towns had been disoussed, Matrons would be in charge, and the children could spend from eight to ten months at the hostel, attending a first-class school during this time. They would thus receive a much'better education - than at a small aided echcol. He felt, however, that thero were objections to this course. Parents probably would not care to loso touch with their children of from eight to ten years of age for so mauy months. •Home was the 'best place for children. The Government had resolved to give some extra assistance to' the boards in the matter of back-blocks education, said the Minister 1 , and he had. atsked the officers of his Department to report on the question of providing a special relieving service of,, say, half-a-dozen teachers for the back-blocks districts. It would be necessary to give these men fairly good salaries, probably better than they could •get in the cities ordinarily under their, grading. They woaild be available whereover there was danger of a school closing, as many were, at tho present time, owing to the want of teachers. They would go out and take ovor the work for six or eight months pending the appointment of permanent teachers. Consequently it would be possible to keep the schools open and the children taught. The teachers would not be obliged' to remain in the special service for more than one year. .'