DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOLS

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24600, 23 June 1945, Page 8

DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOLS

STAFFING DIFFICULTIES RECOGNISED

DEPARTMENTAL ACTION “The reply of the Education DepartmeJStaSSS as it does allL the facts of the problem, is very weak said Mr A. E. Lawrence at yesterday s meeting of the Canterbury Education Board, when a letter was received from the Education Department stating that the whole question of staffing of secondary departments at district high schools was now being consiaered and it was hoped that a solution of the difficulty would be found. “The department recognises the difficulties being experienced in staffing them to take these positions. Board members discussed generally the necessity for making district high schools centres of country cultural life and education The senior inspector (Mr H. D. Prichard) said one difficulty was in getting women teachers to go secondary schools, which were a deadCI Mr K. Kippenberger suggested that an intensive course of technical instructors could be undertaken at the Waimate District High S Mr°C. S. Thompson (chaimian) said parents were largely to blame. The parents ■ would sooner send their chxi dren into the city schools. In reply to the board’s motion requesting the Senate of the University of New Zealand to increase the number of accrediting district high schools to include all which were both efficient and adequately staffed to teach without undue strains to university entrance standards, the Senate said its policy did not favour 1 dealing with schools in any special group. If tne board wished to apply for any high school under its control to be placed on the accrediting list, the liaison officer would be asked to visit the school. At the next full meeting of the-Senate the record of . the school, the officer’s report, and kindred matwould -be considered and the case given consideration on its merits. Mr Lawrence said the Hokitika District High School should be the first accredited in the South Island.