The Motueka Star. PUBLISHED TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. "Te Oranga Moti Iwi." TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 1932.

Motueka Star, Volume II, Issue 45, 21 January 1902, Page 3

The Motueka Star. PUBLISHED TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. "Te Oranga Moti Iwi." TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 1932.

Upon the Motueka Borough Schools being opened yesterday, after the holidays had been extended "for a. fortnight, at was considered advisable, owing to the poor attendance of scholars, to dismiss them till Monday next, only 70 • v.t of an attendance roll of 155 putting in an appearance. Although such a state of affairs is to be regretted we a 1 e 11 t mi .-prised' that it has happened. Tiie majority of the School Committee met informally to consider the matter aod deeded t> call a public meeting for Tnursday evening, to which parents and others interested in the educational welfare of the rising generation are invited, when the position can be discussed. The School Committee, as representatives of the parents, and responsible to the Education Board, are <n an awkwaid and unpleasant situation. The high reputation the Motueka Borough Schools have gained in the past, must be maintained by all .means, arid if the parents do not see that their children attend regularly that reputation may be lost; besides, the most qualified , masters obtainable cannot do justice to themselves, or the scholars under such conditions. The last Act of Parliament passed inflicts severe penalties on parents for neglecting to send children to school regularly. It is incumbent upon the Committee to see to the proper administration of the law in this respect and they ask the Education Board to appoint a truant inspector. By irregular attendance the Committee's income, based upon the average attendance, is affect «d ; this also applies to a certainextent to the teachers' salaries. There are also many other ways in which the cause of education is retarded which will be apparent to all. In our opinion the only way out of the difficulty -will re to make the holidays extend from Christmas to the end of March when the hop picking season is practically over.