STRANGULATION OF EDUCATION IN COUNTRY DISTRICT SCHOOLS IS " KULTUR" OF AUCKLAND EDUCATION BOARD

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 2 December 1915, Page 3

STRANGULATION OF EDUCATION IN COUNTRY DISTRICT SCHOOLS IS " KULTUR" OF AUCKLAND EDUCATION BOARD

TO THE EDITOR

Sir, —We talk of the oppression of the Prussian in Europe, but we need not go further than the Auckland Board of Education to find oppression bristling forth with all the bull force that the members of that body are capable to bear on " our country districts. At present they blame the war for it; but those of us who have been on committee know that the same cry lias been going on before the present war was thought of. Recently the Mareretu people have had occasion to cross swords with them. To start with, let it be understood that for 20 odd years the Mareretn school has been a full-time school. But in May or June last the Board suggested to the Committee that Mareretu and Mareretu North schools should be made half-time schools. The Committee replied that we would not recognise a half-time school in this district, parents and committee being unanimous on this point, and if the Board persisted would withdraw their children from the school, and the committee would resign as a protest. But in spite of all, tho Board appointed a teacher on the half-time system. Of course, the children were withdrawn and the committee resigned, as a protest, because in the reading of the Act we are entitled to a full-time school, there being an attendance of 17 children. The Act say£ an attendance of 9 to 20 are entitled to a lull-time school with a grade one teacher. The protest was met by the Board putting the "champion small man of Auckland " in motion, each parent getting a summons to attend the S.M Court sitting held at Maungaturoto, and being fined 6s and costs. Our children are now going a distance of six or seven miles to school, so that they may obtain a full-time education, the result being that the main school is now closed. Don't rest until you have made every school in the country a full-time school, with a number 1 grade teacher ; and if entitled by a larger attendance (21 to 35), then force a grade 2 teacher, and so on. No doubt the Board will "buck and kick," but let them. If you form a union of School Committees, in conjunction with the Farmers' Union and Workers' Union, they will be obliged to give in. Don't stand by and say : " oh, it doesn't trouble me, my children have a full-time 'school." Remember, your school may be the next for the " bull "to charge. Strike with the force of the combined Unions, and stick up for your rights. ' The Mareretu people will fight to the finish. It will be just as well for the Board of Education to remember that they are only "servants of the people," and not " masters." —I am, etc., Sydney Flower.