EDUCATION IN THE BACKBLOCKS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8094, 26 April 1906, Page 2

EDUCATION IN THE BACKBLOCKS.

AN AUOtCUND SCHEME. TUB MUSS ASSOCIATION. Aiyklasd. April 25. The question ol affording bettor !.icilitic.s for the education of children in tke baekblocks of Auckland district, bus been before the Education Board for soinc lime. The reDort on the subjoct was submitted by Mr Petrie, Chief Inspector, ut a meeting of the Board to-.l.iy. He states that iu general, each case of this kind would have to be considered on its merits. Some eases could be met by employing itinerant ic ichcrs, who would teach in each family ft).' a week at a time. In all other casos the usual grant of £6 for each unit of average attendance should be offered (I) that the head of the family makes provision for the instruction of his children in accordance with the t.'i'ais of the Education Acts and (2) that an Inspector of the Board certifies year by year that the instruction given is reasonably efficient. Mr H. J. Grcenslade, M.H.K., said he had recently completed a tour through the remote baekblocks, where in many places tliero were meru apologies for roads, and it was certainlv regrettable to see how children were penalised as regards education, because their parents were obliged to go away back and carry on the laudable work of pioneering. The appointment of itinerant or travelling, teachers and the establishment of household schools was, he considered, an absoluto necessity He thought the Education Department should be approached on the matter. Mr A. R. Harris concurred and tho report of the Inspector was adopted and referred to the Department.