NATIVE SCHOOLS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20012, 10 August 1939, Page 4

NATIVE SCHOOLS

SECONDARY STUDENTS DRIFTING FROM REALITY SERIOUS POSITION ARISES INSPECTOR'S ANALYSIS The development of a serious position in regard to the post-primary education of young Maori people is alleged in the annual report ol the senior inspector of native schools, Mr. D. G. Ball, who calls the attention of the Education Department to marked deficiencies in the curricula and equipment of the secondary schools founded for the instruction of Maori boys and girls. "For some years the almost complete abandonment of practical, technical, and agricultural training by the post-primary denominational schools Ims occasioned .serious concern," Mr. Ball comments. "In 1936 the Minister approved of a considerable increase in the number- and value of Government scholarships ot all kinds available to Maori boys'and girls.

"As la result it was hoped that the financial position of post-primary denominational schools would be strengthened, thus permitting staffing and equipment to be on a more generous scale. Neither m 1937 nor in 1938 was the position improved, but, on the contrary, it has drifted even further from the realities of Maori life which should have guided the schools in the preparation of their courses.

"The various governing bodies are conscious of the serious deficiencies in their schools, and during 1938 the Minister was approached with a view to ascertaining the best means of remedying them. The 'Minister directed that a comprehensive report on the post-primary education of the Maori be prepared, in order that the whole position might be adequately reviewed.

"The situation is less serious in the private post-primary schools for girls, but it is far from satisfactory even there. Despite the trend towards formalism, it has always been a pleasure to report, that the tone and discipline of these schools were of a high standard, but, even in these respects, one school was unsatisfactory this year."