Tardy Response To School Milk Inquiry

Press, Volume C, Issue 29478, 3 April 1961, Page 13

Tardy Response To School Milk Inquiry

Although school committees in the Canterbury Education Board’s district were asked to reply to a questionnaire on the milk-ln-schools scheme by March 17, only about half to two-thirds of the replies have so far been received at the board’s office.

The questionnaire was seat to the 316 school committees in the board's district, asking them to "consult” with parents, and then answer the following four points of the questionnaire: (1) Do you consider that a continuation of the present milk-in-schools scheme is justified? (2) Please give reasons to support your opinion. (3) If continuation is not justified in the present form, would you favour (a) discontinuation, or (b> modification of the scheme? (4) If modification is suggested, please give details.

It is believed that many committees have held over the questionnaire for discussion with parents at the biennial meetings to elect school committees, to be held on April 17.

Other committees have made copies of the questionnaire, which they have sent to all parents in their school area. In some cases, committees have not collated parents* replies, but have simply, sent them all into the Education Board's office, which has meant additional work for the staff analysing replies as they come in. The present questionnaire has been undertaken by education boards at the request of the Minister of Education (Mr Tennent). It was hoped that an education boards would have their replies collated and sent to the office of the Director of Education by March 31.