"PUTTING THEM BACK."

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3769, 10 August 1907, Page 2

"PUTTING THEM BACK."

At the last meeting of the School Committee two committee men mentioned that certain parents had expressed displeasure to them by reason of the fact that their children had been put back by the headmaster. One committeeman mentioned further, that as a result of the headmaster’s action certain pupils were taken away from the school. As more is likely to be heard of this matter, we desire to state, for the information of parents and Committee, that the headmaster has the power, and very wide power too, to reduce the status of any child whom he considers does not possess the necessary qualifications for certain standards. It is useless for parents to “kick against the pricks” or for the Committee to “run its head against a wall” in dealing with this question. We are reminded of an old proverb, which says something about the shoemaker and his last. The headmaster of the local school “ knows his business,” and it is hoped parents and Committee will allow him to steer the ship which he is perfectly capable of doing without attempting petty interference. We were in conmunication this morning with the Chairman of the Board, who pointed out very clearly to us that the master had very wide power in dealing with the grading of scholars, and it was very necessary that it should be so. He further stated that in this respect he was responsible to the Inspector alone.