SCHOOL COMMITTEES' ASSOCIATION

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3121, 27 June 1917, Page 6

SCHOOL COMMITTEES' ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Wellington School Committees' Association was held in the offices of the Education Board on Monday. Mr. W. !". filler (president) was in'the chair, and about twenty delegates were present. The annual report, which was lead by the chairman, referred to the formation of the association in July, 1916, as a result of a movement initiated in 1015. The association had now been jn active existence for ten months, and its two. delegates on the Wellington Education Board had made fueir influence felt in important directions. Mr. T. Forsyth, one of these delegates had vigorously attacked the bonrd's methods of work on several occasions, and the association heartilv supported him in his endeavours to infuse new life into that body. , Tho report reviewed the work of the association during "tho year, and stated that something had been done already for the advancement of education, though much remained to be done. "It is the definite opinion of workers in tho course of education that what we are doing -is not sufficient to meet the requirements of our children," added the executiye. It is, therefore, clearly the duty of each member of a school committee to study, and weigh tlie- r variotts schemes and suggestions of educational bodies, as to the best means.of raising the standard of education in this Dominion. . . After the war competition in trade and commerce will be njpre strenuous than ever, and it is imperative that our methods shall be of a hiub. standard if our coming men and women are to bo fully equipped. In the past members of school committees have done little in voicing their opinions or directing the public mind, as to the shortcomings of our educational system, and it is the sincere hope of your executive that the association may.be the means of awaking a deep public interest in matters which are so.vital to our national We. It is the intention of the executive to arrange for a series of lectures and addresses on educational mattnrs to be given bv well-known authorities even- second mouth. These meetings will" be open to all mem hers o school committees, school teachers, am ohers interested. It is hoped by th> means (o stimulate an iiitnre't in Iho studv of mode in education. The report was adopted. \ The chairman mentioned that the Minister of Education (the lon. .1. A. u -wingo«cerswere r ed. cl«r, Clark. T. ThompIn the retiring secretary (XIl. A. J. .101 "Tlitter was read from .the Petono RW, School Committee urging the assoThe matter was left in the hands of »%Sr»£ discussion the meeting adopted the following motion •. lhat tins mce i," anproves the adoption of un>fovm school books throughou New Zealand, and that the secretary bo ni.tnat ed to forward a copy of the resolution to the Education Board. The supplv of exercise books, notebooks, and pencils to the schoolsat readable prices was discussed. Jlembe s stated that a concerted effort was required to reduce the cost to parents and avoid a return to the old insanitary slate-!. It was decided that a deputation representing the association should wait upon the Education Board and urge it to take action in the direction of securing wholesale supplies of school requisites to be supplied as required to school committees. The question of provision ot free sclioo books by the Government was deferred until sis months after the close of the war. , , i After discussion the meeting adopted a motion moved by Mr. Clark that the Education Board should bo urged to have writing made a syllabus subject.