BACKBLOCKS CHILDREN.

Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 63, 14 March 1924, Page 3

BACKBLOCKS CHILDREN.

»' • ' TAUGHT BY CORRESPONDENCE. The success of the Education Department's new system for educating the children of the backblocks by correspondence has been such that tne Minister "nas decided to increase the staff allotted to that duty. In a statement made in Wellington, the Hon. I . J. Parr said that the correspoudcr.f school was eonvmc-iieed two years ago in Wellington with 40 pupils. Now were 407 being educated, and the Department was receiving letters from parents of children showing their appreciation. '•The staff comprises a headmaster and two qualified ladies." said the Minister. "The school was designed to meet the needs of children in lighthouses and isolated families in the backblocks areas not served by the schools. £"omc of these families reside as much as 100 macs from the nearest school. Once a fcitnight the teachers mail to each family the lessons and the work to be done for the ten school days of the next fortnight. At the same periods they receive the work for correction. Advice is tendered individually to each C-llilll. A high personal interest is maintained in the progress of the pupils. I shall have to increase the staff as the teachers are finding the work too heavy. To this end I am asking Mr. T. U. Wells, M.A., lately retired from the teaching service, who was one of the most experienced headmasters in New Zealand, at present a member of the Education Board, who knows the backblocks and has many years' experience with correspondence schools, to join with the Chief Inspector of Schools in furnishing mc with a report on the school."