HOUSEHOLDERS MEET

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 168, 30 April 1935, Page 3

HOUSEHOLDERS MEET

PRIMARY SCHOOL QUESTIONS.

STAFFING SYSTEM CONDEMNED.

EXCLUSION OF FIVE-YEAR-OLDS

There is no election of primary school committees this year, but several meetings of householders were held in the Ashburton district last evening to receive reports on school work during the past year and discuss matters of interest aod importance to both parents and schools. This is the customaryi time ot the year for householders to elect the committees, but although tne committees put in office last year remain there for two periods the Canterbury Education Board recommended them to call the householders together, and important meetings were held at Ashburton East and Allenton last evening. The present system of staffing schools was condemned at both meetings and resolutions were also carried protesting against the continued exclusion of five-year-old children.

THE ASHBURTON EAST SCHOOL.

A DISAPPOINTING ATTENDANCE

There was an attendance of only 10 householders at the meeting called by the Ashburton sast School Committee and welcoming those present the chairman of the committee (Mr W. S. Kerr) expressed disappointment at the small attendance, especially in view of the important matters to be considered. The annual report, already published in the "Guardian," was adopted, as was also the financial statement, which showed a credit balance of £4 9s 6d in the first account and one of £8 lis 3d in the second.

The report of the Ashburton East Dental Clinic, also previously published, was received without comment. The chairman referred to the unsatisfactory position with regard to the staffing of schools and said, it was ridiculous that this should be dependent upon the average attendance instead of upon the roll number. Jt was just as difficult and cost just as much to run a school with 30 away as it did to conduct one with all present. The headmaster (Mr S. (i. Macfarlane) pointed out that as soon as the average attendance dropped below a certain figure the staff was reduced, but if the attendance improved it was a long time before the staff was increased again. In the case of secondary schools, the teacher who would have to leave could remain for a year after the roll had fallen. If the roll increased a new teacher was immediately available. The only explanation" of the whole position which he could think of was that the secondary school boards were more influential than primary school committees. The chairman said secondary schools Avere not so reliant upon grants as they had" endowments to call upon for general expenses. If primary schools were staffed in accordance with the roll number, as in secondary institutions, rather than the average attendance, there would be an improvement both financially and in the matter of staffing. "That this meeting of N householders strongly protests against the present system of grading schools on the average attendance instead of the roll number, and also against the exclusion of five-year-old children," was the text of a resolution carried unanimously by the meeting. On the motion of Messrs EG. Money and E. H. Childs, it was decided to convey a hearty vote of thanks to the ministers and other workers who gave religious instruction in the school. The Ashburton branch of the Sunlight League of New Zealand was also thanked for its interest in the welfare of the children.

•"Has no one got any complaints ?" asked the chairman,' when there was no response to his request for any general business. And still there was silence.

Replying to a question, the headmaster said the reason some teachers had to teach children of two standards was that the sizes of classes varied so much. In some cases the large ones had to he divided and the overflow accommodated with a class of a smaller number even though it was of a lower (or higher) standard.

THE ALLENTON SCHOOL. DISTRICT BOUNDARY UNCHANGED. Twenty-five householders attended the meeting held in the Allenton School. The chairman of the School Committee (Mr E. C. Ba'thurst) presided'. "With reference to the discussion at the last annual meeting regarding the reported alteration in the boundary of the school district, the chairman explained that a mistake had been made by the Department, which had confused the names of the streets. The error had been rectified and the boundary was now the same as it had previously been. Moving the adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet, Mr Bathurst referred to the school gardens which, he stated, were in excellent order and reflected credit on Mr W. Hunter who was in charge of them. Outstanding progress had been made in the teaching of the pupils to swim, 54 pupils having been awarded certificates. Only that evening a letter had been received from the Ashburton Amateur Swimming Centre congratulating the school on the success of its pupils in this respect. The chairman brought up the matter of the regulations excluding five-year-old children from attendance at primary schools and suggested that further representations should be-made to have the regulations amended. Mr D. H. Moore said there hud been a change in the portfolio of education and they might get something done. He moved that strong representations

be made to the Minister urging him to take steps to have . the regulations altered to admit five-year-old children to the schools.

Mr C. H. F. Maynard seconded the motion, which was carried. It was agreed to forward a copy of the resolution to the Canterbury School Committees' Association.

It was also agreed to forward a letter to the Minister of Education, urging that schools be graded in accordance with the average roll number rather than on the average attendance.

THE SPRINGBURN SCHOOL. There was a larger attendance than usual at the householders' meeting at Springburn last evening. Mr L. G. McFarlane presided and as chairman of the school committee gave a report on the year's work. The chairman congratulated the teachers and pupils on winning the McFarlane Shield for the school gardens, and also read a congratulatory letter from the board on the school's success. Portion of the school grounds had been planted in trees raised in the gardens. Hill's talkies, as a result of an entertainment, gave £2 to the i school funds. A (successful concert had been held. The senior children had been taken on a trip to the Ashburton Woollen and Flour Mills. Messrs E. Aldridge and H. Smith gave work gratis on the condition that the value of the work was given to the school funds. The balance-sheet showed that in hand and bank was the sum of £ls 9s 6d. A discussion arose on the question of the town schools being able; on the advice of the headmaster, to pass pupils in the proficiency test. The Rev. A. A. C. Lion moved: "That this meeting of householders and parents held in (Springburn expresses its disapproval of the discrimination suggested in the new regulation ( accrediting system for 'proficiency passes' on the ground of its being a privilege granted to one portion of the community and denied to the rest. As this accrediting will only be allowable in the schools of the larger centres we feel this is unjust. If any consideration should be) given it should be given to the country scholars who frequently have to sit in strange surroundings after having travelled sometimes miles."

The motion was discussed and passed unanimously. Later a. social programme was given.