EDUCATIONAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2025, 6 September 1919, Page 4

EDUCATIONAL.

The following remits were passed at the recent conference of School Committees Associations held in Wellington this week: — That, with the view of promoting the general efficiency of primary education in the Dominion, the Government. be urged to increase the annual education grant to at least £3,000,000. That a dec) ante salaries be paid to school teachers, in keeping with the importance of the profession, and that greater inducements be given to young people to take up the profession of school teaching. That, in order to make real the pretended power given by sections 7,1. and 72 of the Education Act, 1014, to school committees in connection with the appointment of teachers, the Government be asked to make it mandatory upon a board to submit, in its order of preference, the names of all applicants capable of tilling the position and that the Government he requested also to so amend the law ns to absolutely prohibit appointment 'by transfer, except where such is necessary by reason of there being no response to repealed advertisements of the vacancy. That a Federation of School Committees’ Associations he formed, to he called the “Federated Committees’ Associations of New Zealand.” Messrs Pickering, Hornblow, Le Grange and White were appointed a committee to draw up a constitution for tlic federation. That an additional capitation allowance of 2s. based on average roll numbers, should be made by the Department for incidental expenses to school committees. That it is desirable that the Government should immediately take in hand the supply of all primary school hooks and requisites free. There should lie an increase in the size of every school site to Jive acres where practicable; Iho minimum area to be sufficient to provide for school gardens, shelter sheds, parade and playing grounds. All expenditure for school sites or additions thereto, and for all buildings and shelter sheds, and properly constructed parade grounds, to be provided by the Government. That teachers’ remuneration he fixed according to the ability of the teacher rather than with regard to the grade "of his school, and, generally, that the pay he made sufficiently attractive to encourage the most able to enter the service and remain.

That the Government he asked to do all in its power to facilitate the holding' of open-air classes in connection with oiir schools.

Thai the Slate should provide free compulsory medical and dental treatment for pupils attending public schools; that free treatment apply to parents with an income of not more than £5 per week. That no concessions and (or) subsidies bo granted to any private schools. An assembly hall shall form an integral part of all new school buildings, That if any educational legislation in thatdirection is contemplated, ibis conference strongly pfolesls against any system of centralisation or oilier alteration of the Hducaliou Act, whereby Ibe present functions of school committees will be curtailed.

, That in appointing teachers to country districts more attention he given to (lie matte); op residences (where provided), and if no residence is provided, suitable accommodation he found for them; and, further, that no female junior teachers he appointed or transferred by any hoard to any centre unless /he hoard is satisfied that accommoulation is provided for them.

That all schools should be provided with a proper healing apparatus.

That the employment of pupil teachers be discontinued at the earliest opportunity,

That cinematographs should lie provided for use in various schools, and that the children should he given lessons hy means of these moving pictures. That where closer settlement of any kind is in contemplation the Government be urged to take the necessary steps to acquire or otherwise provide sufficient areas for educational purposes. That it is advisable, where additional accommodation is being provided at various schools, the playing areas should not be encroached upon for such buildings where the school site is under five acres. That the association enters its protest against the Minister for Education compelling school committees to provide half the required amounts for the purchase- of additional playing or building areas required for any school, and considers that this is a responsibility cast on the State. That all old, insanitary, or unsuitable school buildings he replaced immediately by modern structures, and in all eases the school committee he consulted before the final adoption of the plans for the new school.

The adoption of single desks in all State schools and the gradual substitution of these for all other desks at present in use, be urged. The conference urges that there should be complete co-ordination between the work of the primary and secondary schools throughout the Dominion.

That the C(.uestion of first-aid tuition and appliances be brought To the notice of the Minister for Education, urging that provision should be made by the Education Board or the Health Department for the supply of the necessary outfits for all

schools, especially schools in country districts.' That compulsory home allowances be granted to parents whose children are required to be kept at school after. tKe age of 14 years, when such " children would otherwise (owing to the financial circumstances of the- parents) be sent to work. That the Government he urged to. embody the kindergarten schools in the State school system. That all repairs and structural alterations should be a direct charge on the Education Boards. That some financial assistance bo granted to country holders of proficiency certificates living at a distance from a railway station to enable them to attend technical or high schools. That all education he free from the kindergarten to the-university.