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Hokitika Guardian, 6 December 1932, Page 4

The Canterbury Education Board litas for some" time Iliad under consideration the vexed question of juvenile unemployment, and aware of the fact that a large number of boys for whom there are no openings will soon he leaving .school the Board has decided to institute ia. “Back-to-Scliool” campaign as a means of combating the problem. With this in view a circular haw been sent to the headmasters of the various public schools, accompanied by a n 11111ber of questionnaires sufficient to permit every boy in the isixlh standard biking one home to his .parents. The questionnaires aire to he filled in by the parents and returned by the headmaster to the Board before the end of the year. The foreword to the qrostionnn.ire draws# atitenion to the matter in the following words: “As yon are a Ware, due to the acute frailer 1 position, the problem of finding employment for boys leaving primary schools to go to worl; i:s one for which a solution lias vo to be found. That a proportion of the number of boys leaving primary schools this year

and not proceeding further with their education will be unemployed and, consequently, at a loose end is inevitable unless .-.onie arrangements are made whereby such boys will hi profitably omipied full time. Various proposals for dealing with this problem have been brought before the public from time to time, but in this connection the Canterbury Education Board is convinced that the only really effective scheme in this case is a ‘Back-to-School’ policy.” The Board l asks that if -a hov obtains his proficiency or competency certificate, and is umsuiccesrftd in obtaining permanent employment where it is the parents’- desire he should do .so, he should Be’ sent to the post-primary school heist suited to his requirements. The alternative suggested is that should the hoy fail to secure his proficiency or competency certificate this year he should be sent hack to ‘his primary school for a further year in order that he may hnv e another chance to pass this examination. It is pointed out that a hov seeking employment in Kny walk of life without at least a proficiency certificate is at a decided disadvantage. The Beard draws attention to the feet that children who are over the age of 14 years and who have not been in regular 'attendance at a public school up to a 'date not more than six momthis prior to the date of admission are entitled to a. f ,ln e Place at ip. technical school or technical high school, subject to their taking th° course of study prescribed! for such pupils. The fapse for a longer period than six months, however, is not held to be a barrier in. where the authorities are satTfied the pupils wenunhble sooner to take advantage of tlmir .free phee®. The Board is consent that if the above suggestions are adopted there will be a considerable decrease in juvenile unemployment rext year, and rppeaki to parents for their, eo-pneiration in the interests of their children.