Primary Schools.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 August 1922, Page 4

Primary Schools.

WORK OF COMMITTEES

WELLINGTON, Auk. 3. Representatives of the School Coin- ■ mittees’ Association of tlio Dominion conferred in Wellington yesterday. The delegates were welcomed by Mr : A. .J. White (president of the Welling i ton who referred to the i necessity for subsidising funds rais- | i ed h ycommittees for swimming baths , and sports material. j The following remits were carricd:— ! That the Minister be urged to offer still further inducement for males to . enter the teaching profession. ' j The Minister be asked to extend and perfect th© scheme for the establish- . merit of model schools, (a) ns a proba- j tionary school to ascertain the phvsical and mental fitness of those qualifying for furthe radvancemcnt. (b) as ’ a training school in the hest method ! of teaching and school management, j (e) a sa model for guidance. | j A more satisfactory method of heat- . I ing schools he put into operation. | Payment of capitation fees to he on J the basis of school rolls, and not, as at present, on average attendances. j All reports he sent to the chairman of school committees simultaneously with their being sent to teachers. The Department he urged to put in order at once a scheme to have dental work done at cost price in all ' schools. The Department to he asked to arrange for a copy of the Education Act 1914. and its amendments, together with the regulations, to he placed in each school so as to he available for the use and guidance of committees. After discussion it was decided to ! recommend the introduction into ’ schools of a uniform 'standard of books—such books to be supplied by the Department. That single women be given prcloreiice to married women in all appointments made except under special circumstances. That a representative of the School Committee Associations from the .North Island and one from the South Island he appointed to sit on the Council of Education and a representative of school committees on any

advisory hoards that are elected. That the Federated School Committees' Association use every effort to combat tlie movement to centralise control of schools in Wellington, and the-endeavour to abolish the welltried and efficient system of local government by school committees as it will be against tile true interests of the children and schools. That liecaiisc of the present financial condition and the small jxipubition of New Zealand, we view with apprehension the proposal to abolish Standards V and VT from the primary schools, and to establish in their place an expensive system of junior high schools. That the Minister's attention be drawn to the unnecessary and vexatious delay of the Education Department in granting subsidies to comnmees on voluntary contributions. That all teachers receive annual in- | (•foments on the lines of the Public Service, and that transfers lie compulsory. but only take place at the end of the school year.

That the Education Department and education, boards secure to all school committees the right to deal with commercial linns on wholesale terms for wholesale lots.

That it he compulsory that all children he taught “first aid to the injured.” This is to he part of their daily lessons, and that every child who passed the test in “lirst aid” he given a badge and a certificate. That the Deportment he requested to provide assistants at schools with an average attendance of 30. not to lie removed unless the attendance falls below 'AS for two quarters, and to be replaced two quarters after the minimum is again reached. That when a district high school is ebanged to a technical school, heard allowance should not be discontinued. That the Department be urged to reinstate swimming capitation fees. A sub-committee formed to consider the advisability of adopting a more effective system of organisation lor the school committees throughout Nov Zealand resolved, in view ol the fact that the true interest of the education of children was not receiving full attention under existing conditions, that each education district should be urged to raise a sum totalling not less than £4OO suggested proportion on the basis of *d per child being a s follows Auckland Cl 14. Canterbury £7-2, Wellington £7,2, Otago C3A Hawke’s Bay C 29, Southland £2b, Taranaki £2l, Nelson ,Ll 3.