COUNTRY SCHOOLS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2473, 17 May 1888, Page 3

COUNTRY SCHOOLS.

TO THE K'HTOK. SIR,—An attempt has been inane lately by a few teachers in the Waikato District to form a branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute in order that some united effort should be made to place the country schools upon an equality with those more favourably situated in the towns. Passing over such questions tas scholarships, etc., I would diaw attention to the fact, that with the sole retrenchment of one pupil teacher in schools with an average of 300, or in other words Auckland schools, the whole cf the recent retrenchment will fall upon country schools. Friday last was a wet day, consequently the attendance of our children who have miles of country roads to travel over, was very small. This condition of weather, which we may expect on and off during the next four or five months, will bring down the average and operate moat injuriously against the efficiency of small schools, by a consequent reduction in staff, so that when the children are present, the necessary teaching staff will not be available. The severe retrenchment of one pupil teacher in the Auckland schools cause:! their several committees to send a deputation to the Board of Education to convince the latter body of the seriousness of the step, but the retrenchment that the country schools are about to feel will reduce the staff in some instances as much as fifty per cent., and what are our com-mittees-doing? Now, Sir, surely the retrenchment should be tempered by circumstances, and some consideration shown to country : children handicapped by hard work at home, distance from school, and bad roads.—l am, &c., A Chairman of a Waikato Committee.