SECONDARY EDUCATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 May 1919, Page 2

SECONDARY EDUCATION.

[ OPUNAKE'S CLAIMS RECOGNISED. |, Messrs R. Masters, S. G. Smith, |Sf. J. Eaves, and P. j. H. White, the committee appointed to visit Opunake in connection with the provision of secondary education in that district, reported to the Education Board yesterday that they had met in conference the Opunake School Committee, together with representatives from Oaomui, Pihama, and Te Kiri schools, and after listening to the representations made they were of opinion that Opunake was laboring under serious disabilities in respect to higher education. They were unanimous in cqnsidering a strong case was made for the establishment of a District High School, as most suited to the requirements of tlie locality, and recommended that as soon as the necessary forms were completed and returned to the board, application be made to the Department accordingly.

Mr. P. J. H. White spoke strongly in .favor of Opunake's claims, pointing out that it was tlie centre of a very considerable ami, and its isolation from the railway precluded many children from taking advantage of a secondary education, as in many cases their parents were unable to send them away to school. He moved that representations be made to the Department under section S8 of the Education Act for the establishment of a District High School at Opunake, and that a deputation of the board wait on the Minister when visiting Wellington. Mr. Buchanan, in seconding, said that a district with from 35 to -JO pupils ready to avail themselves of secondary education was deserving of consideration

Mr. Wilkinson hoped Die matter would be brought forcibly before the heads of the Department in Wellington. Opunake was in an isolated position, and had no railway, and was specially entitled to consideration. Tlie resolution was carried.