SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 April 1917, Page 7

SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

IMPORTANCE OF THE WORK; The ordinary quarterly meeting of the Moa School Committees' Association was lield at Inglewood on Saturday when there were present: Messrs J. Sutherland (Inglewood), in the c'liair, J. B. Simpson (Durham), secretary, H. Codd (Dudley), W. Corney (Norfolk);, E, J. Brittain (Waiongona), E. J. Askew (Pmkeho), Geo. Capper (Kaimata), life member, and Messrs S. G. Smith (chairman), and G. B. Dolly representing the executive. The representative of he Pukoho committee was welcomed to the Association. The Secretary, in calling upon Mr. S. G. Smith for an address, remarked that as representative of the district on the he had attended every meeting. Mr. S. G. Smith said various matters had been satisfactorily dealt with by tho executive. He instanced the circular that the Board had sent stating that committees could not close schools in case of epidemics without first consulting the Board. In the new regulations thU had been amended satisfactorily to committees, who were given power to close schools for four days, but were expected to at once advice the Board, who would formally givo permission. At tfie time he opposed the circular, but had to submit to tho Act, which gave committees no power to close schools. The Board, however, now recognised that some portions of the district, owing to lack of postal and telephonic communication, would perhaps be unable to get into touch with the Board at once. He thought Wiat the Board now comprised amongst its members men who were keenly interested in education from the committees' point of view, and, as a result, there was better relations between committees and the Board, and all were working together to get the best results and place Taranaki in the forefront, of the education districts of New Zealand, and this could only be done by the eo-operalion of the Board, committees, teachers and children. Another point was that tho Board 9iad agreed that when school committees had* more ground than wan necessary they had power to lease, the only proviso being that the revenue inns* be utilised for further improvements to the school ground. The amount of land in Taranalci provided for school grounds varied considerably In t'hc southern portion the schools had more land than was necessary, while in many parts of the old Tarntiaki district the schools were cramped for room. In the new portion of the district he noticed that ample ground had been provided. The present Board had also effected other alterations, and he felt sure than when members of school committees compared the new regulations and by-laws new being printed with the old they would agree that they were now in a much, betterposition. The Board, he said, had also decided to visit every school in the) district. Most had been already, but the Mr.a district remained to be done Tho value of a personal visit to the-schools could not bo over-estimated, and he instanced tie experience gained on the recent ' tour, they were struck with the number of school committees that were snxious to help themselves, though occasionally their energy might be misdirected. It was now beginning to be recognised that school committees were essc'tial, and personally he thought I hat committees were more important in schooi -work Mian anything else, save p.erhaps the afctual school work itself. He urged them wEen tlie Board did visit thcif district to agree among themselves as to what they wanted, and to make li.eir requests as reasonable ds possible, when they would find the Board most anxious to help. He drew attention to the approaching meetings of householders, and stressed the, importance of the householders all throughout the district taking an interest in school matters. Even if they were, satisfied 'with the work done by the committee it would be much easier for the committee to do the work if householders showed their appreciation. Householders' meetings this year were more important than usual, because on account of the war the educational system of the Dominion might be said "to be in the melting pot. Changes of a drastic character in the syllabus were forecasted, and the present overloaded syllabus would .be altered, with the idea of providing practical education for every average boy at the least possible exertion hut giving the best results. School committees should know the requirements of their own district, and he thought that school committees' associations should have the opportunity of perusing any projected change*. Moreover, school committees had to elect the members of the Education Board), and although the recent election showed that more interest .was being taken in the matter, he regretted there were still a large number that did not exercise their votes. It was t'iis duty of householders j to elect the best possible men on school! committees, as on them devolved the duty of deciding the best men to administer education in the district. He favoured education being compulsory, where children were within easy reach of a school, because some people did not realise their responsibilities'in this direction and the children must be protected from their parents. Regarding the change of school books, he found very little ground for complaint, but he would favour a Dominion'set of hooks. There wa-\ however, ground for complaint as to the amount of note books and paper used, but the expense would lie coiiseidi'i-uhly minimised if teachers would inculcate habits of enoconmy in the children. There was a growing* desire in New Zealand to form school committees' association-!. Pome of them were appealing to the Minister for increased captation and he thomrlit that this was warranted, as committees found it hard to make both ends meet. He also stressed the need for school committees being -riven some sta. tus. Their conferences should be recognised by the Minister. At present the Board's functions would not allow it to touch on questions of policy, a question that did come within the functions of school committees. He briefly tout-bed on the question of giving children in the country an opportunity of securing technical education. It was not feasible to have a fully equipped technical school at every centre, so the Board was considering' the establishment of a hostel in New Plymouth where country children would be boarded and be looked after as was done, now at colleges. If this proved successful similar institutions .vould be established elsewhere. 'He pointed out that in some parts of Taranaki children could not receive primary education owing to the average at which the Government would provide a teacher being too high. The Education Act badly needed amendment

in this respect. There were hundreds also who couid not secure technical or secondary education on account of tho expense, and the, time had arrived wlicti country children should hi given ills same educational facilities as those in '.lie town. He hoped the scheme for » hostel would have the whole-hearted support of the district. Mr. (i. 11. Dolby referred to flip need for some of the old schools being replaced by up-to-date, modern buildings. Ho considered that the sciiool should bo ime of the finest buildings in the town, whereas it often was the worst. School committees should combine, and bring pressure to hear on Parliament, through their members. Mr. J. B. Simpson said that tfie fact of the committees bavinr no status was the reason why the Inglewood people had taken so little interest in the Association. It was a very important matter, and he thought there was no reason why suggested changes of educational matters should not be placed before householders in the form of a referendum. The chairman said that the capitation question should certainty be discussed. Every year Inglewood, though very economical, had to raise from £lO to £2O to barely pay their way. They had had a very energetic committee who had raised money for various improvements, and it was very discouraging not to get any subsidy from the Board. However last time, they were cunning, they waited until just before the election, when they submitted their request and obtained a subsidy. He strongly favored a Dominion set of books, and considered also that the scheme for the establishment of a hostel was an excellent one, as train travelling was not desirable. A hostel also would greatly facilitate children in the back blocks obtaining technical education. Committee men present generally recognised that capitation was too meagre Mr. Geo. Capper thanked Mr. Smith for appreciative remarks regarding his (Mr. Capper's) services to the Association and, also for tho address that he had given. On the motion of the chairman and Mr. J. B. Simpson, a vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Smith and Mr. Dolly, the chairman stating that it was due. to Mr. Smith's efforts that tho position of commitces was being improved in their relationship with the Board. Mr. Smith briefly replied. He considered the point raised by Mr. Dolby o most important one, adding that the pressing needs of the future were better .buildings, larger air space, modical advice after medical inspection, all leading to an improved national life. Some thing, he concluded,- should be done to bring the modical advice within the reach of parents. It was necessary that tho physical needs of the children, as well as their mental needs, should bo catered for. There was pressing need for n better class of buildings. He would like to see the Minister present at an annual conference, so that they could talk straight to him. , Mr. J. B. Simpson considered that the Moa School Committees' Association should move in the matter of sehooi books, and he moved that the following"~remit be sent forward to the Conference: "That all school books, etc., necessary for the carrying on of the State system of education be printed by the State printing establishment, and supplied at cost price in the case of families of three children or less, and to be supplied free in the case of all families over that number." This was seconded by Mr, Sutherland and carried.