Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 9 December 1931, Page 4

Many parents during the past i c w weeks, have been called upon to do some very serious thinking with regard to tbe future of their children who are on the point of leaving school, jln particular this applies in the case i°f the parents of boys, who in time .are to be the backbone of our DomI inion in the commercial world, al- ■ though it also has a bearing upon the case of the girls, many of whom will have to earn their own living. The secondary education system of New Zealand is founded upon such n basis that its portals are open to all children in the land, although, in some instances, parent§; have had to make some sacrifices to enable their boys and girls to partake of the benefits offering. The standard of instruction throughout the Dominion is very high generally, and the average child, after a course of secondary education, is fitted to step out into the worm, he it in profession, commerce or trade, The ante-school life of the child, however, has undergone a complete chance , during the last two or three years in that the various avenues of business life into which these young people would ordinarily launch out, are to a great extent closed, owing to> firms and offices employing reduced staffs to cope with the financial stringency by reducing expenditure. This reduction of staffs, and, consequently increased unemployment, lias had its effect® upon every class of the community, even on the very children who-, upon leaving school, are faced witlr extreme difficulty in tlieir quest for work. The question of finding work for these boys and girls causing the utmost concern, and the Education Department is at present , making arrangements to call a. conference of all who are able to help in formulating schemes to place hoys in employment. But what of ftlve mean.-’ time? What alternative is there for these young people who, in their hundreds, nay, thousands, are contemplating leaving school within the J course of a few days ? The Rector of the Hokitika District High School, Mr ,T. L. Menzies, made a. statement at the last meeting off.the School Committee, which wn® an echo of what has been occupying the minds of headj tfta-sters and principals of boys’ and girls’ schools and colleges all over New Zealand, namely, the advisability of parents keening their children at school for another year, or until such time as work is offering. This is the first occasion upon which this sug- ! gestion. has been urged in Hokitika, 'and it'demands the deepest consideration on' the part of parents. If the children leave school and have no position to go to, their time is idled away, the. mint} is unoccupied, the disciplinary teaching becomes dulled, and they deteriorate |n themselves thus minimising their chances of securing appointments in a field which is at prei sent very much overcrowded,. On the other hand were the children to re- ' main at school ‘under the influence of the teacher, they will continue to re- ' eeive the benefits accruing from tlieir education, will still be training their ! minds and improving themselves, and I at the same time will he fitting themselves and increasing tlieir chances of I gaining positions.