COMMERCIAL COURSES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 28, 3 February 1932, Page 10

COMMERCIAL COURSES.

STOPPED BY DEPARTMENT

HARDSHIP ON COUNTRY CHILDREN. EDUCATION BOARD'S STRONG PROTEST. "It is a cruel thing to do this after they have started the term's work. We all have to make sacrifices, but these children are being called upon to make more than their share," said Mr. H. S. W. King at the Education Board's meeting to-day, iii commenting on a letter received from the Education Department regarding the discontinuance of commercial subjects at district high schools where the particular subjects were taught by additional part-time teachers.

The letter stated that the question of continuing the teaching of commercial subjects at district h'gh schools had been considered by the Minister. It had been decided that where regular teachers ~\vere unable to do the work, and additional part-time teachers, were employed, it would be necessary to discontinue the courses so as to put an end to the employment of outside members of the staff. Where the regular staff was able to do the work, especially the teaching of bookkeeping, it should "be definitely encouraged. Many telegrams and letters of protest were received from country districts, some stating that children who had gone to school specially for the course would have to leave. One letter said that typewriters had been bought and the children penalised in other ways. Mr. D. W. Dunlop, secretary to the board, said that the letter had been received after the part-time teachers had been appointed. He stated that 677 children in the district high schools were taking commercial courses. Mr. A. Burns: The hardship in the country districts is that there no private tuition available. Such specialisation should "be the sphere of the Training College. The board dccided to 6end a strong protest to the Minister.