MODEL COUNTRY SCHOOL.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 May 1922, Page 7

MODEL COUNTRY SCHOOL.

AN INTERESTING PROJECT. SCHEME FOR TARANAKI BOARD. DEFERRED FOR SIX MONTHS. An interesting report on the desirability of establishing a model country school at Stratford was received at yesterday’s meeting of the Taranaki Education Board from Mr. J. A. Valentine (senior inspector). The report stated: “For some time past I have been persuaded that the time has arrived, for the establishment of a model country school in the Taranaki district. Such a school would be governed by the departmental regulations of December 22, 1920, and is one which may with the consent of the Minister be established by the board for the purpose of giving training in the management of a country school to (a) young persons who intend to become teachers, but who are ineligible for admission to a training college; (b) teachers already in the service of the board, but who require further training. As there are in the board’s service to-day some 40 or more teachers who might benefit by such training, the need for such a school is evident.

“The regulations provide that a model school may be established as part of a larger school, or it may be a separate school, and it t is required that boarding accommodation for visiting teachers shall be readily secured in the neighbourhood. Not more than 35 pupils are allowed to be in daily average attendance at the model school. Any teacher in the service of the board may. if recommended by the senior inspector, be required to attfend the school for any period of training not exceeding three months, and shall receive full salary during that period. The board may also send for training young persons who desire to become teachers and appear suitable for appointment to junior positions, but do such persons shall be selected so long as any trained teachers remain unemployed. These young persons shall, while at the model school, be paid an allowance at the rate of £7O per annum, plus £-30 lodging allowance if required. Each of these candidates must satisfy the senior inspector that he has reached a standard of education,in advance of S 6, and, if accepted as a student, enter into a bond with the board to teach for at least two years, or else to refund the amount paid to him during his period of training. I suggest that; if the board approves of this scheme, the school shall be set up at Stratford as part of the Stratford School, and that it shall be under the direction of the headmaster of that school, the teacher in charge of the model school being regarded as an assistant.”

Mr. H. Trimble was surprised that the report had not been adopted without objection. The only expense in conneettion with the project would be that of salaries, which would be paid out of the ordinary revenue from the annual educational expenses. The building expenses would come out of a building rate, which would be almost entirely supported by loan. He therefore moved that a school be established as suggested in the report, and that tihe consent of the Minister to open the school be obtained. Mr: R. Masters seconded. 1 An amendment was moved by Mr. S. G. Smith, that the proposal be deferred for six months, owing to the present? financial position of the country and the lack of funds for providing adequate accommodation for existing schools. Mr. Smith explained that he was not opposed to the project, but thought that the proper accommodation of the children should be the first consideration. The conditions, he considered, were not opportune foi the establishment of a model school, and he for one was not prepared to sit down and take salaries for extra teachers for a model school when children were being denied accommodation. Tie wished to make it quite clear, however, that he was not opposed to Stratford being the centre for such a school. Mr. Masters asked how a request to (file Government to provide money for the salary of one or possibly two extra teachers for a model school would detrimentally effect a grant for increased accommodation? If the board did not support the project, he was of opinion that they were being thrown back as far as progress was concerned, as such a school would help to raise the status of teachers under the board’s jurisdiction. Mr. Lees sympathised with the project, but thought it inconsistent to support the scheme when conditions were eo unfavourable for primary schools. The board had complained that They were not getting a sqi?are deal in the matter of accommodation, and it seemed to him they must fight for that first, notwithstanding that a model school would admittedly be of great benent. On the amendment being put it was declared carried, on a show of hands, the voting being: For —Messrs. Smith, Lees, Hosain, and the chairman; against, Messrs. Trimble. Masters, and Deare. On being subsequently put as the motion, it was carried, .the voting being the same.