The Times. Published on Tuesday and Friday Afternoons. Motto: Public service. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1920. EDUCATION IN FRANKLIN.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 582, 9 November 1920, Page 2

The Times. Published on Tuesday and Friday Afternoons. Motto: Public service. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1920. EDUCATION IN FRANKLIN.

The dual prospects of the new Pukekohe Technical High School opening early in February of next year, and | also of substantial additions being; made to 'the present accommodation of the primary school make things educational look particularly bright ior Franklin. The advent of the* High School will mean the provision of a curriculum such as will meet the requirements of scholars seeking to enter industrial, pi of essional, domestic oi agricultural walks of life, in addition to providing a sound and practical education on broad, humane lines with a view to equipping fiupils for ,thc rights and responsibilities of citizenship. "Neither pains no expense," ! the Education Board assures us, "will bo spared in providing staff, buildings, ground, and equipment" to attain these ends. Certainly the area of fifteen acres attached to the school is admirably situated, and provides wide scope for playing areas, well laid out grounds, and for agri cultural plots. The buildings, designed according to the latest ideatin school architecture, provide foul main lofty and commodious classrooms, a large laboratory, library and adjuncts. The ever-increasing complexity oi modern civilization places a great strain on those who would succeed jn the battle of life—and life is either one long battle or what Tennyson called "death in life," according to whether a person is a real liv< worker or a sluggard. None but he or she who is educationally equipped for the stresses and strains of modern conditions of life can hope to attain efficiency.' Progress is moving rapidly in every walk of life, and onl.\ those who are equipped by higher educational standing can hope to ride on the crest of the wave of success. The primary school, even in its highest standard, is quite inadequate, and our youths .and maidens must perforce acquire a good secondary education in order to keep level, with the times, to say nothing of forging abreast of the requirements of the moment. Happily, secondary education is rapidly being placed within the reach of all.

A quarter of a century ago New Zealand was ii> advance oi' most othei countries in its educational system but that proud pre-eminence is »■< longer ours; we have much leeway t make up. The opening of the Puke kohe District High School will give the young people of this district ar.

opportunity of recovering as far »•■• this locality is concerned, that status which has been lost; the event will bear a message of hope and inspir: - Lion to every parent, bidding them t<< give their children a chance to become well equipped for the struggle for existence, and to work out, under the most favourable conditions, their several destinies. Such an opportunity is too good to come moi j than once in a boy's or girl's lifetime. and it is therefore incumbent on the parents to see that the most is made of it.