PUBLIC SCHOOL NEEDS

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27912, 8 March 1956, Page 7

PUBLIC SCHOOL NEEDS

Requests By Delegates From Committees

INCREASED INCIDENTAL GRANTS URGED

S t V e desperate position" school committees. the New Zealand Federation of School ComSprfff Actions will ask for an “"ease m incidental grants. No figure was stated by the Dominion conference in Christchurch last evening, but many figures were cited to show that up to 30 per cent, more was needed m some districts to cover day-to-day expenses. V- 6 . federation will also ask the Minister of Education (Mr R. M Algie) to release the report of the special committee now investigating i a matter as soon as it is completed.

a A n^ernie^> a te School Committees.— ah members of intermediate school committees should be elected by the ? a u en i ts ,°f P u Pils attending such schools, delegates agreed. At present tour members are appointed by the committees of contributing schools and the others by parents. The Director of Education (Mr C. E. Beeby) sought the federation’s views on the subject. ,= Pa .? er To "’ el Issue.— By 16 votes to it), the conference agreed not to request the provision of paper towels in schools as a means of combating poliomyelitis. Some delegates said parents were paying Is a week for such a service; and one reported that a new Kawerau firm would supply the towels at less than cost as a contribution in the emergency. However, a bare majority of delegates considered the scheme prohibitive in cost, and too difficult to supervise. Country Teaching Service.— To encourage more competition for teaching nositions in country schools, a classified list will be prepared of schools at which the special country allowance should be payable in the view of committees.

School Transport.— Conveyance of all children attending country schools if they live one mile or more away was supported by a large majority of delegates. Speedier supply of new buses for replacements and new rou+es was unanimously favoured. Administration of these services by education boards rather than the department was desired. Use of these buses on Saturdays for children taking part in school sports was also wanted. Delegates urged a travelling allowance of Is 6d a child a day for private transport to school. It was stated that the present basic rate of 9d a child for up to five miles barely covered the cost of petrol.

Shelter for Classrooms.— Allowance for verandas or awnings on basic-plan schools where the climate warrants will be sought from the Education Department. Mr A. E. Grieg (Marlborough) said the glare and heat in summer in his district made basic-plan schools unbearable. The “Canterbury plan” schools all had verandas, but these were now allowed only up to four classrooms, said Mr R. K. Milne (Canterbury). Southland delegates said their schools needed shelter from winter weather. “The basic plan is hopeless,” said Mr V. Wilson (Timaru). . Maintenance of Recreational Facilities.—The Education Department will be asked to bear the entire cost of painting the interior of swimming baths which become departmental property, and to meet the entire cost of mowers for playing fields, the type of equipment to be governed by the size of the school. These two tasks were considered beyond the resources of school committees. Provision of playing fields, adequate for all future needs, was urged for all new schools. Cases were cited of pupils having to go elsewhere for games immediately after the opening of new schools. District High School Halls.—Allocation each year of at least one of the new assembly halls to a district high school was favoured. Canterbury movers of this remit said that district high schools often had rolls and requirements apnroaching those of postprimary schools.