EDUCATION SYSTEM

Hokitika Guardian, 14 December 1928, Page 5

EDUCATION SYSTEM

PROPOSED RE-ORGANISATION. AUCKLAND, Dec. 12. Proposals which were before the late Cabinet for the re-organisation of the education system in New Zeal aml were commented upon yesterday by .Mr T. 15. Strong, Director of Educai ion. Although he refrained from detailing the nature of the proposals or expressing his own point oi view, Ah' Strong nevertheless gave a broad outline oi tin- changes which are thought hv the education authorities to he desirable*. He said that the system was to bo re-organised, either in establishing separate junior high schools in the larger centres or of having composite junior senior secondary’ schools.

Declining to give his own opinion ns lo the relative advantages of each scheme. Air Strong said that his prede- < essor, Air Ca ugh ley, now Director of Education in Fiji, had favoured attaching junior departments to the existing secondary schools. This was now practised at Waitaki and at the AVhangarei High School. The new Alinistcr oi Education would he called upon as soon as possible to see what would be done, the question being one of the earliest matters to he considered. An announcement was expected shortly as to whether or not the change was to be made next year. An ojirlicr beginning would be brought about in 1 lie teaching of secondary subjects in the higher classes at the primary schools. A new school syllabus giving effect to this would be in the bauds of teachers in a few days. 'l'bis change was necessarily dependent upon the decision arrived at with regard to the re-organisation proposals. . . , . , Th e extension of the junior high school system is favoured by Mr A■Runic, chairman of tlio Auckland Education Board. He said that the Kowl,a i type of school had given satisfaction and was capable of doing even better it. would be possible to establish more junior high schools of tins 1-vpe taking away the upper stand; nrds from the primary schools. h.s would relieve the primary schools while the secondary schools might he relieved by taking form 3 from their care. The junior high schools would then servo as a clearing house tor the trades and professions. . Mr Burns expressed satisfaction with the possibility of an early announcement as to the final proposals Delav in making a decision had served to hold back work urgently required in enlarging schools and building new schools. _____