EDUCATION

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1955, 22 March 1919, Page 3

EDUCATION

REMARKS BY MR. FRASER, M.P,

Referring to the question of Education during the course of his address on Tuesday night, Mr P. Fraser, M.P., said there was room for great improvement in the Government’s policy in this connection. There were a great many schools in the country that were not fit to ho used "as such, and in many eases there was practically no playing ground for the children. He recently visited (he "West End school at New Plymouth, and found the conditions there wore bad. The attendance was about 509, and the classes were 100 large, being about 70 children in a class, far too many for any teacher to properly train. The playing ground was less than a quarter of an acre, and in the summer time it was covered in dust, and in the winter almost a sea of mud. The schools in Wellington were in (.lie same position in regard to want of playing grounds. He was pleased to say that he found quite a different state of affairs on a recent; visit to the Wanganui Infants’ School. Here he found the Monle.sorri system in operation, and it did one’s heart good to see the little ones assimilating their education under such favourable conditions as obtained (here. This system should he extended lo every school in the Dominion. When such a suggestion was made to tiic Government (hey were met with the cry of the great amount of money it would cost. 1 he speaker said lie knew it would cost money, hut the education of the fim ture generation was a thing that could not he counted in pounds, shillings and ponce. The children were worth (he expenditure, and the iiiniiey should he found tor I lie purpose. Another matter in conuecjion with Education that required attention was, that of putting the teaching profession mi a. proper touting. The education of the young avus one of the ihosl important matters in the interests of the country as a avliolo, and (he salaries paid to teachers should he such as would encourage the best men and Avonum available (o take 'up (lie profession. Mr Fraser said the Labour Party stood for better education.