EDUCATION CHANGES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 227, 25 September 1930, Page 11

EDUCATION CHANGES.

HOW MANY, AND WHEN?

RAISING THE SCHOOL AGE.

UNCERTAINTY OF PARENTS.

The Parliamentary Education Committee has delivered its report, a storm of controversy has raged round several aspects of it, the Minister has declared his intention of undertaking a campaign of personal explanation, and it is stated definitely that there will be no special education legislation this session. Such appears to be the present condition, but there are a number of points of vital effect upon children, parents and teachers which yet remain unexplained. Many of the recommendations of the committee require no legislative approval before being brought into force, .and exactly what is to be done in the way of "reform by regulation," and when it is to be done, are matters over which there is fairly general anxiety. One parent has raised a query which many others may also ask. He has a lad who will pass out of the sixth standard this year, and will then be just under 14 years of age. Work is the immediate objective of this boy, if he can secure it, but the father pertinently asks, "Will the compulsory school age be raised to 15 at or before the end of the current year?" He understands that the Education Department possesses the needed power to bring about this change, but has not yet indicated its intention. Naturally, parents in these times of employment difficulties are looking far ahead to secure avenues for children leaving school, and it will be a serious waste of energy if, when such avenues are found, . thfir children are precluded from entering them through the raising of the compulsory school age. Educationists recognise that this raising is inevitable sooner or later, but they, too, feel that it should not be sprung suddenly upon the public. If compulsion up to the age of 15 years is contemplated for next year, there should be ample warning of the change, in the interests of parents, children and schools. Junior High Schools. It is also possible for the Minister to extend the present junior high school system without any further legislative authority. .Residents understand that the new building at Otahuhu will be opened next year as a junior high school. How many other buildings in cities and provincial centres will be turned over to the new ideal in 1931? Fathers are already mapping out future educational courses for those children who will pas 3 out of Standard VI. this , year. They have to decide upon the relative advantages of grammar school or technical college, yet they may find, suddenly, that plans have to be changed, as their children are required to attend some new type of intermediate school established in their district. If these intermediate schools, generally or only in special localities, are to open their doors in 1931, say several committeemen and teachers who have discussed the prospects, then Mt is only fair that the fullest possible notice of the change should be given to all concerned. ■' ;■*"*"" "The Departmental reply, to a request for further accommodation at Royal Oak school," remarked one teacher, "indicates the prospect of a certain number of junior high schools being established in the city at an early date. Inconvenience and disorganisation are inevitable unless the earliest possible publicity is given to any changes contemplated for next year. Of course, any reorganisation may yet be.a long way .off, but the public should be made aware in either case. There is a state of uncertainty amongst teachers as to what the future holds, and this, ie in no way conducive to developing their best efforts. This must extend to the secondary schools also, for the coming of any junior high schools will seriously affect their roll numbers and their staffing. Teachers are not concerned intimately about administrative matters, but they are most desirous of knowing what changes, if any, are to be brought about next year." \ How Will Changes Occur? : A member of a schools' committee mentioned that hie body, too, was anxious to know what the immediate future held. There was an impression abroad that one of the institutions under the charge of the body to which he belonged was to be converted into a "junior high." If such were the case it would probably pa6s under the control of a different body. Meanwhile, during the period of indefiniteness, it could hardly be expected that parents and committee would put forth special efforts for ground improvements and school equipment. An early statement of definitenefis, to replace rumours and general impressions, would, in his opinion, prevent any falling off of interest in schools by those wha had given years to their- welfare. Discussing the probability of changes, a city headmaster pointed out the big task which would have to be faced by the Education Department and by boards in any comprehensive reorganisation, and said that it was unlikely, to his mind, that anything extensive could be Tindertaken for at least twelve months. "I think," he-commented, "that the Government will proceed with a gradual introduction of one or several types of intermediate schools, utilising for the purpose such buildings as are specially suited by construction, and by lessened # attendances at them, for the purpose of the junior high schools. We may, however, see two or three institutions of this kind in operation in Auckland in 1931. What is of more vital interest to the teaching profession, though it is purely a professional matter, is whether the suggestion for.a unification of the whole teaching service under a classification plan will begin next year. Teachers are anxious to know when the present grading schemes will go by the board, and will certainly put this question to the Minister when he makes his promised visit to Auckland.".