EDUCATION IN THE BACKBLOCKS

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 549, 16 July 1920, Page 2

EDUCATION IN THE BACKBLOCKS

TRAVELLING TEACHERS

PROPOSED.

The following circular has been received by the Franklin County Council from the Auckland Education Board, and will be discussed at next

meetingSir,—lii order to meet the educational needs of children in sparselysettled country districts the Department contemplates employing itinerant teachers. Hitherto it has been the practice to establish an aided school in districts where the probable attendance is less than nine. This practice has not, however, altogether succeeded in providing education for children in remote and isolated districts. The Department suggests that in a district Where two or three families or small groups of families live within reasonable riding distance of one another an itienrant teacher be appointed. The teacher's procedure would be to stay two days in one small centre, instruct the children and set them work to do to keep them going for the next few days, and pass on to the next centre. In this way tnt children would receive some education. The that only local *jg|t£hori£T& or, people thoroughly acquainted with a particular locality can afford the information necessary to bring such a scheme into operation. I am therefore directed to request that if you are aware of any locality in which the scheme can be put into operation you will at once advise the Board. When doing so please state: (a) The name of the locality and the postal address. - (b) The names ages of the children in each small centre. (c) The distance between each small centre. (d) If possible, the nature of accommodation in each centre. In this connexion, please name the settler with whom the teacher might stay, and whether grazing for his horse will be available. (e) Distance from railway station or port. (f) Any other information that may be of value to the teacher. Note: In the foregoing a small "centre", means the place of residence of one family or small group of families not sufficient to "maintain an aided school. The Department and the Board are anxious to give the proposed scheme a fair trial, and the latter will much appreciate the courtesy of an early reply.