THE HINTERLAND SCHOOLS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 January 1921, Page 4

THE HINTERLAND SCHOOLS.

The proposal of the Minister of Education to solve the problem of supplying the children of the backblocks with a more efficient system of education than is possible under the existing system, is apparently the only that is likely to achieve success. Owing to the dearth of qualified and experienced teachers, and to the disinclination of such as are /available to face the conditions that must necessarily prevail in the sparsely populated area of Taranaki’s hinterland, the education of tl*e children of our pioneers has not been such that it can be regarded with satisfaction. The work has mainly, been undertaken by uncertificated teachers, who have mostly made no effort to study and to obtain certificates; frequent changes of teachers have taken place at the same school during twelve months, and in some cases schools have had to be closed in consequence of no teacher being obtainable. In recognising that such a state of affairs should not be allowed to continue, the Minister has done good service. It is now proposed to enroll a corps of itinerant teachers with salaries of £250 a year and certain allowances, who will go from family to family, giving two or three days in each of the prescribed districts. By this means education worthy of the name will be brought to the children instead of their having to attend a small school under an ex-sixth standard pupil teacher—a system that has rightly met With general condemnation. The experiment will be watched with interest, and it is to-be hoped it will prove a thorough success. Much, of course, will depend on the temperament and adaptability of the itinerant teachers, but if a wise selection is made good results should ensue.