Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit MONDAY, JULY 20, 1936. SCHOOL AMALGAMATION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 237, 20 July 1936, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit MONDAY, JULY 20, 1936. SCHOOL AMALGAMATION.

With a definite pronouncement of the views of the Minister of Education before them, it is to’ be hoped that the Boards controlling the two secondary schools in Ashburton will take early steps to bring about amalgamation. The subject has been so long before the public that there is no need to recapitulate the advantages of unified control. The two Boards have had several conferences on the matter and on at least two occasions the majority of the members of both bodies were in practical agreement as to principle, but there existed certain difficulties that prevented finality being reached. Now that some of those difficulties have been removed, the way, as the Minister stated, now seems clear. The sole consideration should be the* right of the rising generation to receive the best education possible —both from the point of view r of their own personal future and from that of the well-being of generations to come, because education is one of the foundations on which human progress rests. There can be no doubt that amalgamation of control of the High and Technical Schools would make for greater efficiency, by allowing of a re-arrange-ment of the work. There should also be a saving to the taxpayer, but this is an aspect that should not be placed before efficiency. Expenditure on education is one of the best investments of national funds; the only requirement is that the money be expended in the best way, producing results as nearly perfect as can be devised. It is therefore to be hoped that the movement for amalgamation will be revived as soon as possible, so that the necessary re-arrangement may operate from the beginning of next year. Members of the two local boards may confidently be expected to decide the question with the sole object of the advantage of the pupils of the schools, putting aside any minor objections on the score of sinking of the individuality of either school.