SCHOOL PRIZES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2976, 17 December 1925, Page 2

SCHOOL PRIZES.

DISCUSSED BY SCHOOL COMMITTEE. At Tuesday night’s meeting of the local school committee, Mr Barron asked what action the committee was taking in regard to the awarding of prizes to pupils. He said he had raised the question at last commit fee meeting and no finality had been reached. He felt very strongly on the subject and thought that prizes should be awarded. It was au incentive to the children t-o do their best and such awards were prized in the years to come and were an inspiration to the children o.L' parents who had won them. If the Committee did not award prizes, their action in his opinion, would be “rotten” and indicate meanness. In Otago and iOtlier places prize-giving was a feature of school life. It appeared to him that the local committee were too mean to spend money. Proceeds from the concert could be used for the purpose. He moved that prizes he awarded.

Mr. Rangiheuea seconded the motion pro forma.

Mr. Hornblow said that no one could justly accuse the local committee of meanness. The question of prize-giving had been discussed in past years. Tbe opinion was held that in many cases that the most deserving children did not receive prizes. All children were not equally endowed with mentality. Lessons to some children were not an effort, but, others had to work extremely hard to attain an average standard —and received no award — and were discouraged. The committee in order to treat all alike provided an annual picuic and excursion. Air. Barron: But you are awarding prizes: why not cut them out?

Mr. Hornblow said that there was no reason why certain people should not award special prizes. The Bock .Memorial Prizes were for all time and were awarded to the dux boy

and girl. The headmaster and the Rev. Mr, Walton expressed similar opinions to the previous speaker, the latter explaining that special prizes on delimit lines were to be commended. Mr. Barron said he was still dissatisiied with the committee’s attitude and he did not think that they, were acting consistently, and the discussion closed.