DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOLS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 136, 8 May 1884, Page 2

DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOLS.

The annual report of the Education Board o£ the District of Wanganui m speaking of District High Schools makes the following commendable remarks : — The Boaid has on several previous occasions referred to these schools and has expressed doubt as to their success. It now begs to express its convictiou that as institutions for imparting secondary education they are a complete failure, and are not made use of by the public for that purpose. The Boy's District High School of Wanganui has been completely reorganised under the present Head Master, and for order, discipline, and general instruction is second to none m the district. The end, however, for which it was established has never been attained, whilst the cost of teaching per scholar is enormous as compared with that of other schools m this district. It is presumed that the object of District High Schools is to place within reach of all the means of acquiring the rudiments of a classical education, to the end that any latent talent which might otherwise remain undeveloped should be brought to light. It is manifest, however, by the terms upon which these schools were allowed to be established, and from the conditions laid down by Government at the time they were sanctioned, that they were never intended to trench upon the primary system. The Board therefore does not consider itself justified m spending an undue proportion of its income, whether derived from Bequests, Reserves, or otherwise, m an unprofitable attempt to foster ru institution woi'king upon a useless basis, whilst so many pressing needs are every day brought under its notice from other parts of the district.