Manawatu Herald TUESDAY, SEPTEMB. 27, 1921. SCHOOL AT THE SEASIDE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2334, 27 September 1921, Page 2

Manawatu Herald TUESDAY, SEPTEMB. 27, 1921. SCHOOL AT THE SEASIDE.

WOULD the Education Board lie justified in the present circumstances in establishing a school at the seaside? We understand application has been made to the Board by seaside residents to have a school established there for upwards of 20 children, fifteen of whom are at present on the roll of the local State School. Before the Board, Senior Inspector, or Department accedes to such request, the fullest’investigations should be made in the matter. We are convinced that there is no immediate necessity for a school at the seaside, and for the following 1 reasons: (1) That a well-equipped and stalled school is situate at Foxton, three miles distant, and served by a good level road, whieli could be traversed by a vehicle to carry children to and from the seaside at a fraction of the cost necessary to maintain a separate school. Hence the financial aspect which is all-important at this time, need not be stressed. (2) The educational welfare of the child, a point of paramount importance, could not he catered for with I lie same degree of efficiency in a sole-teacher school as at the central school. (3) The argument that visitors to the seaside would prolong their slay if their children could attend a school there is speculative, and if proved to be trio, the continuation of their residence would not exceed more than a few extra weeks. Their needs, therefore, could'he met as previously pointed out by a daily vehicular service. There are other objections which we need not stress, familiar to the Board. If the authorities agrec to establish a school at the seaside, then the bona tide settlers at Marotiri have a real grievance against the Board for withholding similar treatment to them. This application, in the light of hardships endured in the backblocks by the. children of pioneers, should not be conceded by the Board.