SCHOOL ROLLS

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22941, 10 February 1940, Page 13

SCHOOL ROLLS

the surface.

SLIGHT DECREASE EXPECTED MORE EMPLOYMENT OFFERING Although detailed figures are not yet available it is expected that the rolls of several secondary schools in Christchurch will show some diminution in numbers as compared with last year. This decrease is tentatively attributed to the exclusion of five-year-old children from the schools during the depression, and also to the fact that employment is comparatively easy to obtain. The principal of the Christchurch Technical College (Dr. D. E. Hansen) said yesterday that he anticipated a decrease of 15 in the numbers of new pupils, and a decrease of 20 in the numbers of old pupils returning, making a total of 35 out of a school comprising about 1400. Last' year, said Dr. Hansen; there had been very few children in Standard VI or Form 11. and he thought this might be attributed to the exclusion of five-year-old children from school. On the other hand, continued Dr. Hansen, there was a considerable demand, for employment of children, especially for girls for factory work. As far as he could judge, however, the exclusion of the five-year-old children was beginning to have it? 6^€Ct> Although the headmaster of the Christchurch West High School (Mr A. E. Caddick) anticipated a very slight increase in his roll numbers, the headmaster of . the Christchurch Boys’ High School (Mr G. J. Lancaster) also considered that his numbers would show a slight fall. Commenting on these facts, the Vocational Guidance Officer for Boys (Mr G. M. Keys) said that fewer boys had been .enrolled recently ’at the centre, although placements had been well maintained. The number of boys uncertain whether to go on to secondary schools had been larger than usual this year, and although his department was anxious that boys should attend secondary schools as long as was necessary to secure the r maximum benefit, he had had very„poor replies to his inquiries from, parents as to their, attitude. . • , ... The Vocational Officer for Girls (Mr Woods) said that there was no indication that more children than psual were leaving primary schools. There had certainly been a steady demand for boys and girls for factory work, although there .were few .openings for apprenticeship or for clerical work.