JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18680, 1 May 1926, Page 17

JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS

STATEMENT BY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION. The junior high school system, which establishes a new (and earlier) transition point between primary and secondary education, is now represented in New Zealand by five schools in being, two schools approved but not ready, four proposals now in course of negotiation with the districts concerned, and about twenty-five proposals not yet investigated. The active initiation of the junior high school system may be dated about three years ago. It is one of the outstanding features of Sir James Parr's period as Minister for Education. The figures stated above show that the progress made is considerable. Of the five junior high schools in being four are in the Auckland district, one at Waitaki. The two approved are in Dunedin and in Wellington (Coutts street, Kilbirnie). An application is now in from Christchurch, so that the four chief centres are coming into line. The four proposals that have reached a stage of investigation and negotiation como from Geraldine, Waimate, Temuka, and Masterton,, and there are about twenty-five other proposals. In a brief statement on the estab-. lishment of junior high schools, the Director for Education (Mr J. Caughley) said: "The system claims that the broad elements of primary education are acquired by the time that the pupil lias reached the ago of twelve, or about Standard IV. The pupils are then transferred to a new institution, where differentiation of courses is possible, so that the pupils may be tried out in accordance with their varying capar cities. The system also emphasises that the entrance to the adolescent period is a suitable time in all respects at which to make the transfer, since at least one transfer must be made during the child's school between tho ages of five and seventeen." •'So far as staffing and buildings are concerned," added Mr Cavighley, "the cost will not be appreciably greater. Probably tho chief consideration with regard to expenditure will be the conveyance _of present Standard V. and VI. pupils from small schools surrounding some centre, as Geraldine or Levin. As against such slightly increased cost, it must be remembered that although the present system has produced good results, we relatively misapply a great deal of the present expenditure by passing all Standard V. and VI. pupils through the same mould, and not providing adequately for the adaptation of our secondary system to the varying needs and capacities of the children."