SCHOOL ZONING SYSTEM

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26123, 27 May 1950, Page 8

SCHOOL ZONING SYSTEM

MINISTER'S REMARKS “ EMBARRASSING ”

EDUCATION BOARDS’ VIEWS (New Zealand Press Association} WELLINGTON, May 26. The recent statement by the Minister of Education (Mr R. M. Algie) concerning school zones, was described as “embarrassing to education boards” at the annual conference today of the New Zealand Education Boards’ Association. It was stated that the Minister had said that parental authority should be considered, and that parents should be allowed to send the children io the schools they preferred. Mr W. I. Deavoll, secretary of the Wellington Board, said it would be absurd for children to overcrowd one school because of their parents' sentiment and leave another school in the district with plenty of space. Zoning was necessary in some areas. “I hope we shall never be building rooms to assist one school in accommodation merely for sentimental reasons.” he said. “There is no undue hardship in requiring children to attend a particular school.” He added that the zoning regulation was never enforced unless necessary. The conference unanimously adopted a motion urging no alteration in the zoning principle. A motion urging an amendment to the Education Act to provide heavier penalties for parents whose children had irregular school attendance was

also passed. It was decided to urge the Government to provide special institutions for low grade retardates.