CONTROL OF EDUCATION

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19999, 26 July 1939, Page 5

CONTROL OF EDUCATION

CLOSER RELATIONSHIP AIM OF DEPARTMENT ( Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. The Minister of Education, the Hon. P. Fraser, in the -annual report of his department, does not indicate when the Education Bill will be introduced, but in describing the main purpose states: “The present system of educational administration under which post-primary schools are controlled by local authorities quite independent of those controlling the primary schools is a relic of the period' when post-primary schools were thought of as providing for a selected few, an education alternative to rather than subsequent to that given in primary schools.

“As soon as it is recognised- that every child should have a postprimaxv education of the kind for which he is best fitted a closer relationship between ail schools, primary and post-primary, becomes essential in order that the individual may be free to move easily from school to school, or from course to course with adequate guidance at each stage. It, therefore, becomes necessary to place all schools in an area under a single controlling authority.’ The Minister stated that the expenditure on education last year, including endowment revenue, was £5,157,224, an increase of £487,000. There had been more activity in school buildings and sites. Up to the end of 1938 the Government had given the approval of capital works on school buildings amounting to £2,511,428, of which £1,441,411 had been expended. Fine new schools and teachers’ residences were springing up throughout the country. “It is recognised that there is still heavy leeway to be made up, but the work of bringing the buildings and grounds up to date is being pressed as rapidly a,s the facilities of the building industry permit,” said the Minister.

“The consolidation of small schools i s being pressed forward wherever it appears to be justified, provided that the majority of the parents concerned favour the change. Approval was given during the year for the consolidation of 113 small schools on 73 centres. The difficulty of providing the extra accommodation quickly enough may .Slow down, the programme of consolidation somewhat during the next year or so.”