SCHOOLS IN BACK-BLOCKS.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17315, 29 November 1921, Page 2

SCHOOLS IN BACK-BLOCKS.

FINE EXAMPLE IN COLOEADO. Enthusiastic reference to the system of "consolidated schools" established in Canada and the United States was made by Mr T. {J. AVells, 'who represented New Zealand at the recent Imperial Conference of Teachers held at Toronto. These schools are formed by the amalgamation of two or more separate rura) districts in order to erect a well-equip-ped central school. Describing one of the finest of those he had seen, in Colorado, Mr Wells said a district as large as nine ordinary districts had combined, comprising 100 square miles, 250 farmhouses, and a population of about 1000.- A fine largo school was erected, also a 48ft by 60ft garage,, with a gymnasium above. This accommodated 12 large motor buses, which transported 350 children daily to and from their homes. Eleven of the 12 drivers were teachers, and nine of the eleven were women. Comfortable resi dences were-also erected for the headmaster and for the lady, assistants.. The greatest interest was taken by the people in-their ."community!' 1 school, which was also used for Sunday school and church purposes. Last year a further loan of £30,000 was voted to erect a larger building to serve as a junior and senior high school, with an auditorium seating 1000 people, these' buildings now being in use.

Where one of these schools was established in a district, where the. roads were not good, an improvement was soon made, for the people had too much money invested in their school to allow of its efficiency being impaired. Consequently, a consolidated school was always followed, if not preceded, by good roads.