BACKBLOCKS SCHOOLS

Hokitika Guardian, 29 June 1920, Page 1

BACKBLOCKS SCHOOLS

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June ‘2B. In a discussion of the position af teachers for country children in the small aided schools, the Minister of Education to-day said the Government l'clt strongly that the children of the buckblot-y settlers should have reasonable educational facilities. The idea of estabishing hostels in certain country towns had been dismissed. With hostels, 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 could receive much better education than at the small aided schools. Ho felt, however that there were objections to this ..course,Parents probably would not care to lose tonen with their children of from eight to fen years for so many months. The Government had resolved to give some extra assistance to the hoards in the matter of backblocks education, said the Minister and he had asked officers of his Department to report >n the question of providing a special relievimr service of sav half a dozen teachers for backblock districts. It would be necessary to give these men fairly good salaries, probably better than they could get in cities. Ordinarily, under their grading, they would lie available wherever there was a- danger of a school closing, as many were at present, owing to the want of teachers. They could go out and take over the works for six or eight months, pending the appointment of permanent teachers. Consequently it would h ; ' possible, to keep the schools open and the children taught. Teachers would not be obliged to remain in special service for more than one year.