EDUCATION DEPARTMENT'S ATTITUDE.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 December 1919, Page 2

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT'S ATTITUDE.

CRITICISED BY EDUCATION BOARD. The attitude of tho Education Department, in 'Connection with various matters came up for ftrong condemnation at tho hands of the Taranakl Education Board yesterday. HAWERA TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL. The first 'matter was In connection with the grants for the erection of Technical High Schools. A letter dated December 4 was received from Mr. \V. S Latrobe, Superintendent of Technical Education, stating that the revised plans for the Hawera Technical High School submitted on the Ist ultimo had been approved. It was not considered, however, that it was I'.ecessary to erect at tho present time any parts of the domestic science block, or to construct a covered way between tho main iiuilding and the science block. The Departments. was also of opinion that the demon- , gtration room in the science block should be smitted in the meantime, as it could easily po added when tho numbers to be accommodated necessitated such extension. The letter concluded: "I have also to Inform you that an additional grant of £6500 has been authorised, making the total available grants towards the cost of the buildings £11,500. It Is suggested that the erection of the buildings should be commenced as soon as possible." Mr. Trimble said that though grants had ;been made for Technical High Schools at both Ktratford and Hawera, the Board must not overlook the fact that tho grants were not sufficient to p. ivide buildings in accordance with the full plans submitted (>y the Board. In each case tho plans had been curtailed and he held that the Board would have to commence an agitation immediately the buildings, as approved, wero erected, for further grants to provide additions—l.e., the accommodation Which was now being denied the schools by the Department. Mr. Smith strongly protested against the action of the Departmental officers, who wero treating members of the Board as so many children. He thought that Instead of erecting buildings as far as the grant would go and then applying for additional grants, they should immediately expose Use attitude of the Department. They should start an agitation now with tho object of removing the policy adopted by tho Department to Education Boards In general, and the Taranakl Board In particular, regarding the erection of Technical High Schools He also touched on the suggestion that tenders should be called at once. For months the Board had been lighting for a Technical High School at Hawera; but had been flouted by the Department and now a letter was concluded by the almost important suggestion that the building should bp commenced as soon as possible, the inference being that It should be done before the election. He was heartily sick of such business. Mr. White said that it was high time something was done to show the people the methods t>y which the Education Department doltd nut grants. While the country was In favor of a progressive movement In respect to education, some fossilised individual sitting in the largest wooden building In the world was allowed to put his pencil througn anything he chose. It was about time the public knew where the blame for want of progress lay. School Committees throughout the country wore blaming the Education Board, yet If the mhrntes were referred to It would be found that they consisted largely of urging matters week In and woek out to the Department, and It was time that other methods were adopted to obtain their grants man to allow an official to decide what should go. Mr. Lee said that there was certainly a falsa Impression right through New Zealand. Education Boards were blamed for tho fault or the Department. In tills case possibly action by the Board might hold the matter i up The chairman said that the Board had been blamed in Southern Taranakl for holding up tie Technical High School In Hawera, and no Board had been more keen over any matter than this one had Yet as soon as the election comes a grant was mnde before even the plans were approves—a thing he had not known happen before. One could only take one inference and that was that they wanted something in the papers that tenders were going to be called. There was only one reason for it, and that was political. He was ashamed that any superintendent should lend himself to such tactics. Mr. Smith then moved that this Board enters a strong protest against the actions of the Department In refusing a grant sufficiently large to enable the completion of 'he Hawera Technical High School in accordance with the plans submitted by the Board, and that tho Department be urged to make a further (rfant to cover the erection of a science room, demonstration room, and covered way between the science room and the main building. Mr Lees seconded the resolution which was carried. COURTENAY STREET SCHOOL. The Director of Education wrote that In [ view of the condition of the existing bullying thß Department could not see Its way to | abandon It, but it was prepared to consider any proposal that was more in accordance with tho needs of the case. Mr Smith said that the position was serious, the roll number was now 213, and the floor space 1800 feet, which is about 8 sq feet por pupil, though the regulations stipulate for

12 sq. feet, and the building was defective Id important foatures such as ventilation, lighting, shape and size of claas rooms. In other centres the Infants aro taught under almost Ideal condition, and these facilities hare been provided In spite of the Education Department, and if the Department continued their objection to improve the conditions at this centre then It would be necessary for those who were vitally interested in the educational welfare of the children of this district to take such steps to provide as near as possible ideal conditions foi teaching of Infants especially, as had been provided in other centres. The Board having agreed (o the application for a grant, for a new building should stand fast to that proposal, and Mr. Smith moved "That in view of the fact that Courtenay Street Infant School was defective in important features Such as ventilation, lighting, shape, and size of class rooms, the Board cannot entertain the proposals: contained In the Department's memorandum, and it he again urged that tlio application for a grant to cover tlio cost of rc-lmilding tills school In accordance with the plana submitted, be acceded to." This was seconded by Mr, Trimble, who said that the conditions were certainly not such as obtained in other schools. Tho motion was carried. NGAERE RESIDENCE. The Director of Education notified that as the result of a report from Mr. Spencer, the Department was not prepared to provide a grant for the erection of a new residence, but was prepared to provide a reasonable sum towards the cost of improving the necessarj accommodation at the back of the building. Tho chairman said that the residence was not fit for tile teacher to resldo In. Mr. Smith remarked that he was tired of the Dieee-inoal methods in doling out grants It was resolved on the motion of Messrs. SJmlth and Eaves, that Its decision in respect to the necessity for a new school residence at Ngaere be maintained, and urges the Department in view of the state of the present building to reconsider the matter at an early dato. OTHER MATTEKS. A telegram will be sent to tliei Department asking a reply to the Board's application for a new site and building at Upper Mangorel. The Minister of Education is to be wired to pointing out the lapse of time between tho forwarding of applications for grants and replies from the Department. The list of improvements to school residences graded by the architect in the order of urgency will be forwarded to the Department and the architect was authorised to tmalio the necessary improvements In cases of urgency, pending the authorisation of the grants by the Department. Application will bo made for a grant for additions to the Punlho School, and for alterations to the Lepperton residence. The Department notified that the question of a grant for a residence at Ohura would be considered on the receipt of further particulars. The Department notifled that the sum of £l4O was approved towards the purchase of two acres adjoining the school grounds at Tokaora and understanding that subsidy would not be. payable on. the committee's contribution of £IOO. A grant of £255 has been made by the Department for additions to the the Oeo School