JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS

Hokitika Guardian, 20 May 1929, Page 7

JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS

DISCUSSION BY EDUCATION BOARD. Whilst the committee was not antagonistic to fie Junio'r High Schools system, it felt that the new primary school syllabus should be given a fair trial before there was any change in the system. This statement was made by Mr R. Wild, chairman of the Appointments Committee of the Education Board, at a meeting of the board at Christchurch on Friday. The committee, in a special report to he board, stated:

“The South Island School Commit tees’ Association has asked the board to protest against any interference with the primary school system unti the new syllabus has been tried oui and say that very considerable feelin r is expressed against the Junior High School proposals. “'Phe new primary school syllabus is one of lifoli ideals, and if taught ir the way desired, would go far towards removing the defects now found dis tnrbinct, hut it calls for teachers n r enthusiasm, ea-pability, and Spocia 1 training. Of the 400 schools in the Canterbury district, 210 are single teacher schools—many of these arc voung teachers whose practical expert ence, when taking up these positions can be measured in hours, and they have to direct and control, in most cases all standards. Consolidation ol the various schools would seem to be a remedy in these cases. A more plentiful supply of teachers better trainee and equipped in special subjects is the first requisite towards obtaining improved results in the schools of and above 111 A group; with enliglitenei training and supervision the aims o' the new syllabus may be a preseir. possibility, but in the one-tcachei schools, until specially qualified teach ers are available, except in a few ex ceptional cases, success cannot be ex pected. Tho present academic trem of the secondary schools should b< modified and subjects taken thai would better fit the child for its career. There were 1-147 students whr left Junior High Schools in 1927—0 f these 48 entered agricultural or pastoi a I occupations, and of them 47. hat loft by the end of the second year—only one completed the third year.

“In the primary schools of the Canterbury district there are. 134 classes of over 51 pupils, and until there are rc duced and a supply of better equipped to a one-teacher standard. The scheme is available, the board sshould ioi favour any increase in the number oi typo of schools, nor any movemenl that may restrict full efficiency of the primary course.” Mr Wild moved the adoption of the report.

Mr C. -S. Thompson asked if tho board was going to support the South Island School Committees’ Association. Mr R.. Wild said that the committee could sec great merit in the- Juniot High Schools, but the committee rc commended that the board could no. favour any increase in the number oi type of schools, nor any movemenl ihat may restrict full efficiency of tin primary course.

A lengthy discussion followed in the course of which Mr J. Gow said thai school committees felt that the tops were being lopped off the primary schools, reducing the standard of those schools, Oamaru Junior High School was very expensive tho run, and tin figures would astonish the board. He pointed out that if the fifth and sixth standards were removed from country schools it would reduce these school* teachers, trained in special subjects was too revolutionary and disrupted to be adopted all over the country. He thought that the solution of the whole tiling lav in the teaching of the higher subjects in the primary schools. Replying, Air Wild said that the theory of high costs at junior high schools had not been borne out by the figures they had received. The salary costs at junior high schools were about half tho costs of the board’s district high schools. It immediately became apparent to the committee that tinfirst tiling that was required was teachers. The teachers that were leaving the Training College now wen equipped for teaching secondary education. 110 urged the consolidation of (lie single-teacher schools to make hem two-teacher schools, which were the most efficient the board had. He thought that they should not wait tc ■■retest, but that the matter should be forwarded to the Minister for bis consideration.

Tt was (l'*oidc-d to hold the consideration of the report for a month, so ‘hat the matter could be dealt with at the conference of education boards.