JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

Marlborough Express, Volume LX, Issue 230, 29 September 1926, Page 5

JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

SOME DIFFICULT PROBLEMS CONFERENCE WITH THE MINISTER. A R0UND-TABLE DISOUSSION. HOX. MR WRIGHT SY51P.Y THETIC. Some of the diflficulties which will be niet with in introdnciilg the Junior High Scliool system into Blenheim and tlie surrounding district were ventilated yesterday aiternoon by a deputation representn\g the various school committees affected by the sclieme, which waiteti oji thc Minister for Education (the Hon. R. A. Wright), during his visit to Blenheim. The proceedings commonced in deputatiomil form, but speedily developed into a rouncl-table ctmference, during which an infinite variety of questions connected with the scheme were considered. Ihe deputation was introduced by \V. J. Girling, M.P., who briefly 'xplained its objects The various speakers raised the questions discussed at a meeting of school committee representatives 011 the previous evening, and already fully reported. Mr D. McCallum. who was the fii'st spokesman, said the deputation was meeting the Minister in a kiucfly way to talk over some deta-ils in connection with the institution of the Junior Higli School system. The deputation, realising tliat there had heen a ehange in the administration of the Department, would like an assuranoe tliat there would be as little experimenting as possible, They would like to be assured that the very best teachers were being appointed. They might be wrong in their supposition, but they felt that the best teachers had not been obtained from the primary schools. Another point was that the changeover was ereating changes in, tlie primary sciiools. Springlands, for instance, was losing two senior teachers, and it was felt that the regulations should not be rigidly adhered to, but the two teachers should be retained and two of the junior teachers moved on. In regard to consolidation of schools as a result of the scheme, he suggested that the liumber of schools affected by the scheme should be reduced, to cut out say Tua Marina, Marshlands, Spring Oreek, and Rapaura, with perhaps Riverlands, from the scheme. This would reduce ihe difficulties of tra.nsport. He also asked that the Department make sure that the Junior High School was ready for operation liefore the change over affecting the priiriai-y schools was made. Mr H. Dobson, chairman of the Blenheim School Committee, Said he did not think the Blenheim School Committee had much to object to. He also dissociated himself from Mr McCallum 's romarks in regard to the staffing of the new school, which he was content to leave in projier hands. One thing which his. committee was anxious to , hear ahout was tlie matter of "representation on the Board of Control of the High School. He added that in the Blenheim School six young teachers, fresh from the training college and versed in the latest methods employed in. the infant- department, were to be clispensed with, and it was suggested that some of the junior teachers should be left and tliat some of the senior teachers, not now adapted to infant work, should be moved 011 instead1. Mr H. J. Staoe (Marshlands and Tu a Marina) said that as far as country committees were concerned, they were in. a fog. They realised that the new scheme would be of advantage in the town and its immediate areas, but they had their dioubts about the applicability of the scheme to such schools as Marshlands and Tua Marina. He fe.ll in with Mr McC'allum's suggestion that the area affected by the scheme should be reduced. Another point was the staffing of the schools if they came into the scheme. Some of them would be decapitated and lose part of their staffs and, he understood that a policy of consolidation would be followed , which would result in the closing of the smaller schools altogetlier. the pupils of several small schools ,, being concentrated at oue school . 5tr T. C. Prichard (Spring Greek) said nearly all the points lie wished to touoh upon had heen dealt with. However, he did not agree that Mr McGallum's suggestion in regard to cutting out Spring C'reek should he given effect to without giving the residents a say in the matter. He thought the feeling of both parents and teachers in Spring Cfieek wasfayorable to inclusion in the scheme, but he would like to have an opportunity to eonsult the1 people on the matter if there was to bei any suggestion that Spring Greek should be cut ont. • Mr A. J. Mills (Grovetown.) said his oommittee had favored the scheme, though i>ersonally he himself wonld not have agreed to it without further information, principally because th© primary schools wonld be reduced in grade. However, J10 was open to conviction, and be einpbasised that though he was in dovibt about the scheme, his committee were in favor of it. He had objections to the transport scheme, for instance, but said tliat if it was in the best interests of education, he would fall in with it. Mr L. Gane (Rapaura) said his only objection was tlie1 reduetion. in the status of his school, which would follow the introduction of the scheme, and also the hardships which would be inflieted 011 children in connection with transport. Mr St ace asked a question, as to tlie intentions of ihe Department in regard to consolidation. Was it intended to close the .smaller schools and consolidate? Mr S. ' Hammond asked if it was the intention of the Department to provide free transport. ' £ LARGELY EXPER1MENTAL . ' ' Th'e Minister, replying to the varioiis questions, said he did not wonder tliat the school committees found themselves in difficulties in regard to tlie proposed Junior High School, for, after all, it was a. new proposition in New Zealand, and it was just as well to admit at the outset that probably no oue in the Doniin1ion knew much ahout it, except for what they had read in booksi in regard to the operation of the system in the United States and in Ganada. The whole thing was largely experimontal as far as New. Zealand was concerned, so tliat it was 110 wonder that difficulties and nncertainties had arisen. Mr 51 cC all um, he proceeded, had 3nade the suggestion that the scheme Vas probably more easilv adaptable to city schools than t? sehqols iq and

around a semi-cousitry town such as Blenheim, and lie was probably quite right, for there cbulcl be little doubt that the scheme would be much more easily worked where a fair number of schools were in more "or less close juxtaposition. Indeed, the home of the Junior High School was in the big eities of the United States, where tlie money required for educational purposes was raised by means of rates, 011 the same lines as the municipalities in New Zealand rated their people for the improvement or maintenance of roacls, etc. These large eities were able to commancl enormous sums for education, and they spent them, but' the position was quite different in the country districts in America, and many of them were not nearly so well catered for as regards education as were the country districts in New Zealand. However, all this was by the way. The position in regard to the Junior H gh School in this district was that the schools were committed to it. He had come into the matter at tliat stage — after it had been decided that such a system was to be instituted in Blenheim. He had had 110thing 'to do with it, tho commitment having been entered into before be assumed office. The only thing he oould do was to carry the scheme into effect with as little friefcion as possible, and they could rely 011 that being dono. That, he took it, was what tlie deputation was aiming at. — (Heai\ Hear). STAFFINC 1 Q UESTION . Mr McCallum, the Minister proceeded, liad asked for an assuranoe that tlie best possible teachers were being appointed f'or the new school. I11 sfiort, he asked for an assuranoe that specialists in Junior High School work should be engaged. Tliat, however, was quite impossible, for the simple reasoii that none of the teachers available in New Zealand knew anything about the work. All the Department could do was what had been done in connection with the other Junior High Schools — select the teachers deemed to be the best qualified to carry on the work. At Kowhai the teachers had adapted themselves to the work tvell, and the same applied to Waitaki and Matamata. He had made a special visit to these Junior High Schools, and the teachers were adapting themselves well. He took it that tlie same result would aecrue i n Blenheim. He had no doubt that the best selections possible had been made, and with that they must be content. Mr Girling said on'e point which had arisen was that local teachers who had subsequently been advised of the f'act that they would be transferred from their present positions when the new scheme came into effect, were not so advised in timo to permit them to apply for positions 011 the staff of the Junior High School. The Minister replied that that was very unfortunate, for there was no doubt tliat, all tliings being equal, the local teachers should have had preference. The oversight was u regrettrtble, but still it was quite clear th at 110 teacher would be out of a job as a result of the new scheme. Tlie worst that could happen to them was that they might he transferred to another district, and of course some of them might not want to go. while also people might b© sorry to lose them. TRANSPORT OF CHILDREN. Ooining to the question f transport of children to and from school, he admitted that his expenence while a member of tho Wellington Education Board showed that it fairly bristled witli difficulties. In the first place, the oonimunity were usually divided 011 the question of whether' it w'as desirable to permit children to be transported, some parents having very strong objections. He himself would never be a party to using force to compel a parent who had eonscientious oljections to his child being transported about the country. He would always respect the wishes of the parents in this matter. He had knowledge of the difficulties of the subject in connection with the Wellington Board' s establishment of ooncentration schools, and the experien.ee had been tliat where a majority of the parents were agreeable to transport, the objectors, after watching the thing in operation for a time, usually came in. It would probably be the same in this district. As to the question as to whether the Department would find the cost of transport, tliat was obviouslv its duty. He did not say that the children wpuld be conveyed froni their front gates to ihe school, but they would be picked up at convejiient places and, for all practical purposes, tbev would be transported from home to school and back. OONCBNTRATION POLICY. Mr Wright continued that it was quite obvious, from what had been said, tliat the scheme was going to seriously interfei'e with smne of the smaller schools. Taking Standards V. and VI. from some of them practically meant that they would be wrecked. That was a point which would have to> he considered, and the only escape he could see was thafc tliere liiust be concentration of the pupils left behiiid, at a central school. He was not going; to commit himself and declare tliat that was the policy which would be followed : but lie would say that personallv he could see nothing else for it. It meant that there would be one decent school in plaee of three or fonr small ones. In regard to Mr McOallum s suggestion that the scheme should not be hrought into effect until all was ready at the Junior Higli School, there need be no fear. As regarded Mr Dobson' s question in, respect to the representation of the school committees 011 the Board of Control of the new institution, he was afraid that there was not going to lie any direot representation, though, of course, they could be represented th rough tbe parents' representatives and tlirbugh tlie Education Boai cl's repreisentatives on thc Board of Governors. However, ihe whole matter could be considered. Coming to 51 r Dobson' s objection to the removal of junior teacliers from the Blenheim School, thus leaving the teaching of infants in the hands of teachers wlio were not au fait with the latest methods, and who had not, perhaps, taught infants for many years, the 51inister said this was easily capable ot adjnstment. He considered that ihe teachers at present haudling Standards V. and VI. might prefer to transfer themselves for salary rcasons. THE SCHOOLS AFFECTED. Replying to a question by Mr Staoe as to what schools wero included in the seven mile radius from Blenheim w.ithin which it was pro posed to bring thc scheme into effect, tlie Minister said he had 110 definite information. but he took it tliat the Department would inolude such an area as would provide sufficient pupils for the Junior H i gfi . Mr J. C. Logan, the Blenheim official repr#ientativ® of th® Wel-

lington Education Board, explained that all the schools affected by the scheme lay along the railway, with the except ion of Blenheim and Springlands Schools. So far, the Marshlands School was not included in th© scheme. Th© Picton School was being considered, but had not been, definitely included, it being felt that it was too far to transport the children. Replying to a question by the 5Iinister, Mr Logan said the schools proposed to be included in the scheme were Blenheim, Springlands, Riverlands, Grovetown, Spring Greek, Tua Marina, Koromiko, and possibly Picton. Rapaura had originally been included, but at that time the Bepartmental officers were evidently under the impression tliat Rapaura was on the railway line, and it was not now likely to he included. H.e pointed out tliat the" original idea of describing a oircle with a seven mile radius from Blenheim liad been abandoned, 011 account of transport difficulties, and Dil'lon's Point and Fairhall, though only four miles from Blenheim, were not included, all th© schdols affected being close to the railway. At the same time, notlxing of a final nature had yet been done. Mr Staoe ind icated tliat tlie Tua Marina people wero dead against the scheme, partly for tho reason that while they admitted that their school was adjacent to the railway line, tlie pupils had to travel long distances before reaching tlie railway from their hoines. The Minister: That is a difficulty for the Board to overcome, and a lovely time they will have ! I have been* mixed up witli such difficulties in connection witli concentration schools. At this stage tlie Minister's secretary handed him a departmental letter indicating that the Picton, Rapaura, and Koromiko Schools would not be included in the scheme, and that the only schools included would be along the railway line. Mr Logan said that as far as be could see the Koromiko people werevery anxious to come into the scheme. Mr Prichard raised a question as to what would happen. to a child whoee parents refused to allow it to be transported to the J^inior Higli School. Would the child, after passing'the fourth standard at the primary school, leave school ; or would it fool away its time at tlie school although it had passed .the fourth? The Minister admitted that it was a legal question as to whether a parent could be oompelled to send his child to the Junior High in such circumstances; but he liardly thought such a position could arise. If it did it would have to.be provided for. Mr Girling suggested that in such circumstances, tlie chilcl could continue to attend tlie primary school and, under the supervision of' the teachers, could take the corresponclence classes recently Inaugurated by the Department. Tlie 5Iinister welcomedi the suggestion as offering a way out of such a difficulty if it should arise. CONCENTR ATION DIFFICULTIES. Mr -Staoe, again speaking 011 behalf of the Tua Marina committee, raised a question as to the position in the event of the Tua Marina School being closed altogether as a result of tlie concentration policy after the Junior High School came into operation. He said that the logical place for the concentration school in such a case woiild be Spring Creek, as it was lialf-way, more or less, between Grovetown, and Tua Marina. Supposing that tho young children — the infants — at present attending at Tua Marina liad to- be transported daily to Spring Creek, there would be tremendous objections on tlie part of Tua Marina parents; particularly as the olde-r children, who wonld under oi'dinary circumstances act as guardians for their younger brothers and sisters, would not be going to Spring Creek, but to the Junior High School at Blenheim. This meant that very young children . would practically have to make their own way from Tua Marina, or from their homes, to Spring Greek, and, of course, the same applied to other districts. Tlie Minister admitted that the p ro I) lein was a v-ery difficult one, and said he could not imagirie any Department over-ruling the parents' objections. The general experience was tliat if a majority of tlie parents i'el 1 in with the scheme, the others would follow suit sooner or later, but if most of tlie people objected, it was another sto-ry, and something would have to be done to meet the, case. Mr. Girling inquired as to how all these troubles were being met at Waitaki and Matamata, andi tlie Minister replied that after a little trouhle at the start everytliing was now Working smootbly and well, as he had 110 doubt tliat it would in Marlborough. "You cannot expect," he said, "to get everyone to see eye to eye witli you when such a radical alteration as this is being made, but tlie difficulties can be gradually overcome. There is no question of "coercion on the Department' s part and we shall attempt to meet all the difficulties as they arise." 5:T r Girling deprecated any suggestion that something was being forced 011 Marlborough, aud said tliat he wonld be tlie first to fight against the scheme if he did not think that it was in the interests of the children that it shonld be instituted. It appeared to him tliat the point about the matter was that while the various scliool committees had unanimously approved of Ihe introduction of the Junior High School, tlie parents had not been consulted, and had not heen made aware of the facts, with the result that objections were . now being raised and all sorts of difficulties were croppmg up. ' WE CAN BACK WATER ! " The Minister agreed with this view and said that tliere need be 110 fear that Ihe Department was going to do anything detrimental. to Marlborough or to tlie ohiidren. "If the worst oom-es to thc worst," lie added, "we shall simply have to backwatcr. L have never been ashamed to go full spee-d aston 1 when 1 have thought that there was danger of rny running up against a rock. If the worst cornes to the worst and, through geographical reasons, the Junior Higli School scheme proves unwotkahle here, we can S0011 return to ihe present system." He added that after all the scheme was largely an experiment and he himself was not quite satisfied for financial reasons. The Director of Education believed that it would not cost anything extra, but his own personal opinion was that it vas going to cost a great- deal of money to put into general effect, and it was a question whether it could be afforded. Mr Girling: And if the scheme is ultimately abandoned as far as Marlborough is concerned, we shall be in the position of having a nice new building for Marlborough College! (Laughter). Mr Prichard suggested that if tlie buildings wero not sufficiontly «.d-

vanced- to enable the High School to be openecl in February, as a.nticipated, the staff should be got together for a little special training under Mr Stewart, who would then have returned after investigating the system in America. The Minister indicated that there would be 110 difficulty placed in the way of such a proposal, which oonld safelv be left in the hands of Mr Stewart. It was stated by Mr Logan that Mr Stewart had already arranged with members of the staff of the new institution, to visit the other Junior High Schools and look into their methods, and this had been done. 1 11 proposing a vot© of thanks to tlie Minister, Mr McCallum said he thought the conference had done good. He sincerely hoped that all the difficulties would he overcome, and he felt that he could assure the 'Minister that all interestedi in the cause of education would co-operat© to that end.— (Applause). /■