FREE KINDERGARTENS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10615, 14 June 1920, Page 5

FREE KINDERGARTENS

STATE ASSISTANCSE DENIED. EDUCATION MINISTER SYMPATHETIC. State assistance for tho New Zealand Free Kindergarten Union was tile objective of a deputation from that onrnnisatinn whi. h waited Upon the Minister for Education (the Hon. C. J. Parr) on Saturday. Mrs Gill, Mrs Gilkinson, and Miss Seaton said that their principal request Was that the Free Kindergarten centres throughout New Zealand should bo allowed to establish classes of about 15 children from 5 to 7 years of nge, 1 for tho purposes of teaching reading and writing, to enable students to learn how to teach these subjects. It was stated that student teachers, on leaving the Free Kindergarten schools, found tli era selves deficient in this knowledge, and had to take special lessons. At present tho Kindergarten took children only to 5 years of ago, and reading and writing were not taught. Many parents did not believe in sending their children tortile public schools before they aro 7; and it was suggested that the classes desired might he composed o%these children: who were at present practically wasting their time from 3 to 7 years. The deputation also requested increased financial assistance in the form of larger subsidies so that more adequate salaries might be paid to teachers. Mr Parr, in reply, stated that ha viewed very sympathetically the work dono by the Free Kindergarten. Ho appreciated the work of the teachers, and would carefully consider the representations made and sec what could be dono in the matter.