SCHOOL INTERESTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 143, 18 June 1936, Page 16

SCHOOL INTERESTS.

REMITS TO CONFERENCE

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

' The nineteenth annual meeting of the ! Auckland School Committees' Association was hold last evening at the Teachers' Institute rooms, Wellcsley Street, the president, Mr. W. H. Fortune, presiding over a large attendance of delegates. The meeting confirmed a number of remits prepared by the executive for submission to the anjiual conference of the Dominion Federation of School Committees' Associations, which will be held next August in Dunedin. A remit from the Gladstone School Committed that dental progress cards should state whether children, when transferred to another school, were financial, was referred back to the executive committee. The opiuion was expressed that a slur might be cast on the child if this were done. Other remits were:—That the Government be asked to bring down legislation to provide for a national board of education to be set up as recommended by the National Economy Commission. Thac in view of the inadequate maintenance grant made to primary schools, the Government be urged to raise this allowance to the level of secondary sciioo's. That swimming instruction be includcdv in the' school curriculum and that where possible practical instruction in life-saving and artificial respiration be given. Where facilities are not available, that land drill be given. That all dental treatment be made free and that it be full and continuous up to the end of the primary course. That until such time as free dental treatment is available the amount of ±-30 per annum for each nurse be not charged. That the school leaving age be raised to 15 years without exemptions and that maintenance allowances be paid in cases of hardship. That the size of classes be not more than 35. That an adequate grant be made for handwork and be made available to schools. That kindergarten • classes be established wherever there are sufficient numbers of children to form 6uch classes. That the Education Department be asked to inquire into the subject of transport of country children with a view- to providing proper and adequate provision for same. That the Department be urged to appropriate a substantial sum to be expended exclusively on school ground improvements in addition to the ordinary maintenance grant. That the Government be requested to provide a special annual capitation grant to schools to meet charges in l'espect of water supplied by local bodies. That for the purpose of grading and staffing schools and of capitation grants to school committees, the average roll of pupils be substituted for average attendance. That before the expiry of contracts for school text books in 1937, the Government be urged to completely revise the subject matter and bring it up to date, and that the Government own the copyright, also that contracts be let only after open tenders have been advertised. That the Government be urged to restore subsidies on amounts raised locally for school purposes. That the election of intermediate school committees be held biannually to conform with primary school committee elections. The following officers were elected: — President, Mr. W. H. Fortune; vicepresident, Mr. F. C. Pace; secretary, treasurer and editor of journal, Mr. A. T. Dow; business manager, Mr. C. S. Morris; committee, Mrs. F. Mcßride, J.P., Mrs. R. M. Mountjoy, Messrs. A.,8. Carmichael, A.' A. Buckley, A. Roberts and W. Dixon; honorary auditor, Mr. L. C. H. Dawson; honorary solicitor, Mr. J. F. W. Dickson. ... . , , , ,