WHAT SUCCESS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 August 1924, Page 3

WHAT SUCCESS.

OE CONSOLIDATED SCHOOLS. Asked as to what -iieccs- had attended the sy-tem of consolidated schools, the lion. ('. J. I’a r (Minister for Ei'.lui atinn) stated: “A eonsolidati -cliool wa- e-tal li-hed in April lu-t at I’iopio. near Te Kuiti. where four ol the neighbouring -.Tmol- were elo-od. and report.- of tin working of the

scheme so far are very encouraging. Arrangements are also being made lor tile consolidation of a number ol

sehoo'.s at t i.xford, in Cantcibury, where loading and other conditions appear specially favourable. In several other districts, instead of building a now school provision has been made to> conveyance to a central consolidated school, and arrangements made by the boards appear to he working r-atisdao-Inrilv. Where there is a difficulty in

getting competent teaches for smaß schools, and suitable provision at reasonable cost can be made for conveyance. thus avoiding the expense of building separate schools, the system of conveyance to school- already c-tah lisliel will he extended. There itmn h to he said in favour of consolidation, and there can lie no question but that the new system ] rovides a better and fuller education than the average small one-teacher school. Ti would not. however, he expedient to disturb present conditions where good building- are already provided and teaching is efficient. It must also be considered that in America, where consolidation is lwing freely adopted, the cost of motor transport is very much less than in New Zealand.”