EDUCATION BOARD.

Evening Star, Issue 3141, 14 March 1873, Page 2

EDUCATION BOARD.

A meeting of the Education Board was held in the Superintendent’s office, this morning. There were present—His Honoi the Superintendent (in the chair), Messrs Turnbull, Bastings, M'Dermid, and Mr Hislop, Inspector of Schools. TUB DUNEDIN SCHOOLS. A deputation from the Dunedin School Committee, composed of Messrs Stout, Street, Robin, and Mr James (secretary), waited on the Board. Mr Street explained that the accommodation at the various schools in the City was totally inadequate for present requirements. This was particulary the case at the Middle and South Dunedin Schools, and the result was that the children were uncomfortably crowded together. The Committee requested the Board to assist them in providing for the additional accommodation of 400 children. His Honor replied, that the experience of the various School Committees over tho Province, was very similar to that of the Dunedin Committee. Tho Government had considered the matter fully, and resolved to submit a proposal to the Provincial Council during the forthcoming session, for the enlargement of school accommodation in the different parts of the Province. The Dunedin School Committee would come in for its share of the provision then made, but meanwhile, no action could be taken in the matter. Mr Bastings remarked, that during the recent journey of the Superintendent and himself, only one school was found possessed of all necessary accommodation, and that was at Clyde. Mr Street tlun said, there was anothir matter the Committee wished to bring under the notice of the Board. For some time past the Education Board had stopped certain sums which had usually been paid to the Committee, for the purpose of repairing school buildings, &c. There were certain fees, and the Committee desired that they should be continued.

His Honor said that the Committee were entitled to-two-thirds of the costs of repairs, and the Board would sec that that was paid. Mr Stout complained that not one of the school buildings in the City had been erected on a uniform plan. They had been put up piece-meal ■Without regard to either comfort or convenience, and the result was that the masters had great difficulty in carrying on their work. Indeed the entire buildings were of such a character that were in England the Education Board of the Privy Council would condemn and refuse them grants. He therefore hoped that when the general scheme of the (Government came under consideradon this matter would not be overlooked. He had also to suggest for the consideration of the Board the desirability of c tablbhing a normal training school in Dundin as a part of the Educational scheme. There were a great many pupil teachers now growing up, and it was abs ilute'y necessary that they should have a course of special training before they entered upon more responsible positions. But besides the benefit such an institution would confer on the Province, it was more than probable that pupil teachers from other Provinces would avail themselves of it for proper preparation for the profession of teachei’. His Honor the Suuekinten dent replied that Mr Hislop had been requested to submit to the Board a scheme for the establishment of a normal school. He might add that the Government were fully aware of the necessity of providing increased accommodation in every part of the Province. At Port Chalmers, Lawrence, and several other place the children attending the schools Were packed like herrings. The scheme to be proposed to the Council would cost from LIO.OOO to L 15,000. Mr Street submitted a proposal for the approval of the Board. It was to the effect that the fees of the North Dunedin School should be re-distributed on a plan similar to that adopted in the Middle District School. The proposal would have the efiect of reducing the salaries of the senior masters. His Honor said the proposal was one of some importance, and required consideration. He therefore suggested that the Committee should submit their scheme in writing. The deputation agreed to this, and then withdrew. MISCELLANEOUS. The Committee of the North East Valley School complained of the reduction recently made in the salaries of female teachers in country districts. The consideration of the matter was postponed, pending the Inspector’s report. . A memorial from Mr Gordon, complaining of the removal of his daughter from the Middle District School, was referred to Mr Hislop for report.