Primary and Secondary Education Discussions

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 390, 23 March 1937, Page 5

Primary and Secondary Education Discussions

ACCOMMODATION SHORT TECHNICAL SCHOOL. Class Transferred to Manual Building. Ov.*ing to shortness of accommodation at the Stratford Technical High School, it has been found necessary lo transfer one class* to the manual building, and at the meeting of the board last night it was decided to approach the Minister Education, Hon. P. Fraser, in connection with the matter. Present were: Messrs J. McAllister (chairman), J. H. Thomae, T. T. Murray, H. Bishop, W. J. Polson, M.P., and Mrs N. Gibson. There was a record enrolment of pupils at the beginning of the year, stated the Principal, Mr A. H. R. Amess, in his report on the school at* at the beginning of the first term. At present the roll number was 342; 174 boys and 168 girls. The attendance up to date had been very good indeed, the report continued. Owing to the shortness, of accommodation, it was necessary to transfer one class to the manual building, and 'v.ith the approval of the chairman, 25 new desks were ordered. Extra bicycle accommodation was needed on the girls’ side and some sort of shelter for bicycles at the manual school.

The new metalwork building was nearing completion, and the sub-com-mittee appointed to order the machines had arranged to buy a new lathe, to be installed in the building. Miss E. Pearce, who was appointed to the vacancy caused by the resignation of Miss E. Lamason, began work at the beginning of the term. The results of the examinations held at the end of 1936 were very good, 18 passing matriculation, 19 obtaining leaving certificates, 22 obtaining Pitman’s shorthand certificates, and two candidates out of five were successful in the Training College examination.

It was resolved that the chairman Wait upon the Minister of Education and discuss the provision of further accommodation for classes. The extension of bicycle accommodation was left in the hands of the works committee.

The board passed a resolution congratulating the Principal and staff on the examination results.

EDUCATION REFORM. ATMORE REPORT. High School Board’s Deliberations. The conclusions of a sub-committee appointed by the Stratford Technical High School Board to consider a re-

port on educational reorganisation in New Zealand, presented by a Parliamentary recess committee, was ’before the monthly meeting of the board held last night. The termination of the primary school course at 11 plus or after passing Standard IV., as recommended by the Parliamentary committee, was approved. It wa!s also agreed that the age to which the education of a child is required by law be raised from 14 to 15 years, with provision for exemption in cases of hardship.

The consolidation of schools and classes v.'here practicable, so as to ensure an adequate, education, particularly for children in rural districts, was approved. The board disapproved of a proposal to abolish the scholarship system as a meians of providing free education beyond the primary stage. It considered that the system bad been of considerable benefit to country pupils. If a system of bursaries was instituted, more should be done, by providing boarding allowances, to encourage brilliant pupils to continue their education at the university. Agricultural Instruction. That, in view of the great importance to the Dominion cf our primary industries, the curt’cula of all our schools must include adequate practical instruction in agriculture and allied subjects, was. l also approved. The Board disagreed that unification of control of the existing primary, secondary and technical education in New Zealand was desirable. Contrary to the report, the board considered that the control of such schools at 1 the Stratford school would be best effected by a local board. The members of a board possessed valuable local knowledge and considerable enthusiasm for the promotion of the welfare of the Echo .I. It was pointed out also, that such a board was inexpensive if it was conducted as at present.

Four Universities. Emphatic disapproval of a resolution relating to the disestablishment of the New Zealand University was expressed by the board, which considered that the time had not yet arrived for the setting up of four universities in such a sparsely-populated country as New Zealand. It also raised an objection to the nationalisation of reserves set apart for special purposes in this country. The handing over of training colleges in the four centres to the control of the university college authorities v.’as not favoured.

The. extension of the medical examination of children to include all primary and secondary school children in the Dominion, and that the training and duties of the teachers be so arranged as to enable them to give adequate attention to suitable physical education of the children in cases where the medical examination discloses a need for such education was endorsed. The extension of the present School Dental Service to the country districts was also supported.

Home-work in Schools. The opinion of the committee that home-work in the primary schools should not be necessary was provisionally approved. Under present conditions home-work -v'as 1 often a necessity in order that the staff might cover the course of work in the time demanded by parents. In all, 34 resolutions were considered and in certain cases the board did not make any comment. The report of the "sub-commintee was adopted and their action in sending on their decisions 1 to the Minister of Education was confirmed.