EDUCATION POLICY

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 188, 26 August 1937, Page 5

EDUCATION POLICY

-Press Association.)

Move to Reduce Size of School Classes MORE COLLEGE STUDENTS

(By Telegraph-

NEW PLYMOUTH, This Day. An important pronouncement regardJ ing education policy matters — -most im>' portant ever made by a Minister of education to the Dominion. conference of School Committees' Association,'* remarked the Dominion president, Mrj W. G. Black — was made in a telegram from the Hon. Peter Fraser xead at the' conference at New PlymOuth last night conveyiag some intention in the educai tion programme. The Minister was to have addressed the conference, but expressed regret at his inability to do so, and forwarded certain facts of interest to the conference in lieu of an address. Mr. Fraser stated that school cQmi mittee incidental expenses would be maintained at the present level, and ifc was proposed to grade schools during 1938 on the average roll for the first four weeks of the third term, this yeat and not on percentage. Other proposals included the follouN ing:— An increase in pupils' boarding aD lowance to 7/6 a week. At 'present it is 5/-. The consolidation of schools in suit able areas ana wliere patents ate favourable was being encouraged. The increase in handwork material is to be maintained. Special provision for sewing instrne* tion in small coun'fry schools with ai male teacher only will be con^inued. An inerpase in the grant for school libraries from £1200 to £5000 for the, current year. . The seh'ool-building programme is t«i be pushed forward as rapidly as po* sible. Ground improvement schemes are te be promoted on a larger scale than last year. Tbe department has decided to re* lieve school committees of a contribu* tion for the instaUation of septie tanks. A suitable primary school leaving certificate in lieu .of proficiency ii being prepared. The provision for agricultural clubtf is to be increased. Additional provision is to he made for kindergartens. * A commencement will be made. witK the appointment of vocational guid-* ance officers. Congideration is being given. to the abolition of home-work in primary schools and a considerable curtailmont in post-primary schools. Training cofiege students have been: increased from 428 in 1935 Jfco 1187 is 1936 and to 1360 this year. This will expedite a reduction in the. size of classes. Cancellation of the repayment of boarding allowance by -1933 and 1935 training college students has bees ap* proved. A committee representing the de* partment, education boards and teach* ers is considering staffing and salariee for primary schools. A "special committee is considering the whole question of text books. Three women supervisors of infant departments will be appointed. The milk-in-schools tschemo up to the present included 92,000 children, which is one-third of the school popu* lation of te Dominion. The number of dental nurses now being trained will enable a consider* able ext'ension of the clinic servic# next year and in subsequent years. In addition, the Minister statfed that the xeorganisation and unification of the education system was under eon* sideration and a plan would be. sub* mitted to Parliament during the. cpm« ing session, he hoped, . ^ -