SCHOOL COMMITTEES' ASSOCIATIONS

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21256, 30 August 1934, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEES' ASSOCIATIONS

CONFERENCE CONCLUDED MANY REMITS DISCUSSED (SPECIAL *0 TUB PBXSS.) TIMARU, August 29. The Dominion Federation of School Committees' Associations' conference was concluded at Timaru yesterday, Mr J. W. Preen presiding. A remit from the Otago Association suggested that the federation should urge upon Parliament the importance of the Bible in Schools Enabling Bill, and asking that it be made law. The remit, which was supported by Mr R. S. Vercoe, was opposed by a number of delegates, whereupon Mr Vercoe withdrew it.' It was decided to recommend to the incoming executive that it prepare for next conference a scheme under the travelling expenses fund providing for payment of full expenses of one deler gate from each affiliated association, it being provided that where associations were entitled to two delegates the associations concerned should have the option of sending a delegate at their own expense. A motion was carried expressing astonishment at the action of the Minister for Education in refusing to grant travelling expenses to delegates attending the annual conference, and it was decided that the parliamentary committee should press the mattei with the Minister and the Education Department. It was decided that the conference should reaffirm its previous decision that the legislation governing the election of school committees should provide for the annual retirement of half or the nearest lesser number to half in the case of an uneven number, and that the conference should repudiate the statement that the Dominion federation asked for the extension of the life of whole school committees to two years without this proviso. Palmerston North was selected as the place for the next conference. Homework A remit from Otago, that homework should be considerably curtailed and in no case should fatiguing work be imposed on pupils in primary schools, and further, that the conference was of the opinion that interesting and revisionary work was of material value in the education of children, was lost. The following remit from Otago was referred to the executive to bring down a proposal for submission to the next conference: "We contend that too much importance is attached to the proficiency certificate and that holders have an unfair advantage over holders of competency certificates in attainments." It was agreed to recommend to education boards that periodical addresses on motor traffic dangers ehould be given in schools.

It was decided to set up a Special committee with power to co-opt to investigate the primary educational system and prepare a policy of primary education and administration in New Zealand. The conference passed a resolution referring a number of remits covering capitation allowance and subsidies on moneys raised by school committees to the parliamentary committee, with a recommendation that the State should provide the whole cost of caretaking, fuelling, and maintenance of school buildings and grounds, and that grading, staffing, and capitation allowances should be based on the average roll number, instead of on the average attendance. ' .:.. . Another Otago remit suggested that the Minister should be urged to institute a primary school leaving certificate showing the aptitude of tno scholars in lieu of the proficiency and competency certificates now in vogue, and on which the commercial community placed too much emphasis. Tmß was referred to the executive. A Canterbury remit, advocating tne appointment of a limited number o probationary assistants, was also referred to the executive. Election of Officers The election of officers resulted:—President, Mr A. Roberts (Auckland), senior vice-president, Mr C. R. Mackie (Canterbury); junior, Mr W. G. Black (Manawatu); parliamentary committee, Messrs L. Hennessy, H. M. Harris, and F H. Porter: chairmen, Messrs A. Parlane. A. N. Ingram, the secretary (all Wellington), and Mr W. S. Black The appointment of an ex ecu* tive was left to the Auckland Association.