DOWN-GRADING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 252, 24 October 1934, Page 8

DOWN-GRADING.

STATUS OF SCHOOLS. INVESTIGATION DECLINED. PRIME MINISTER'S STATEMENT (By Tejcgrapli.-r—rnrliiinientnry Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. On the ground that the mutter was being closely watched by the Minister of Education and his Department, tho Prime Minister, Mr. Forbes, in the House of Representatives declined a suggestion by Mr. A. S. Richards (Labour, Roskill) that a special investigation be held into the down-grading of schools. Mr. Richards said it was alleged that 200 schools would be down-graded from February 1 next, causing disorganisation find seriously affecting pupils and teachers, and involving some dismissals and further reductions in salaries. Mr. Forbes replied that schools were regraded annually in accordance with the regulations, and every year some were reduced in grade and others raised in grade. Attendanpes supplied by Education Boards indicated that the number of schools to be reduced was about equal to the number to be raised. A fall in attendance at schools must result in a transfer of teachers from certain schools, and these would be transferred to positions made vacant by the ordinary wastage of the service, which was considerable, as the result of death, marriage and retirement.

"As from February 1 next," Mr. Forbes added, "all schools will, as usual, be fully staffed in accordance with regulations that have bpen in operation for some years. In addition, there will be a continuance of the rationing scheme which provides teachers in excess of the staffing schedule. The interests of pupils will not be adversely but some teachers will be transferred and some may be temporarily out of permanent positions. Under certain conditions teachers may continue to draw pyprsca|e salary fqr one ypar and tpachers who are coippulsorijy transferred ,to ot]ier posjtiqns havp their removal expenses paid hy the Department- Tlje figures available indicate that considerably f ewpr tlian 200 spliools will be affected, . <