BACK-BLOCKS SCHOOLS.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 July 1921, Page 5

BACK-BLOCKS SCHOOLS.

SOME OF THEIR HARDSHIPS At the conference of Taranaki Schoojj’ Committees yesterday, Mr. S. G. M.P., moved; “That this conference ex J presses sympathy with the settlers in( the back-blocks in their claim for thsy provision of educational facilities, an<F that the Minister of Education be urg4 ed to give greater consideration to* their claims, and that in special casesi' the regulations be relaxed" to enable grants to be made for sites and build* ings though the number of children im that particular district may only warrant the establishment of* a grade 0 school.” «

Mr. Smith pointed out that the re* guiations provided for an average at< tendance of nine before a grade T school could be established, and Lo •suggested that power should be given to relax the regulations in. sy.eeia s cases. People in the back-blocks were oft<*u willing to give a. .<te and erect the building, but even then the department would not establish a grade t school, Some districts, owing to roads, etc. g would not be iu a position to obtain a grade 1 school for years, and meanwhile the children were receiving theic education under most unsatisfactory. conditions, if they received education all. What, he asked, would the people' in the towns have to say if they werqp asked to provide sites, etc? Mr. Avery (Kaponga) seconded, and the remit was carried unanimously.

Mr. Smith also moved a. remit strong* ly urging that there should be no re* duction in the education vote this yeaff’ by Parliament, in view of the impera-« tive need for improved accommodation? in both buildings and grounds in town and country districts throughout tha Dom in ion