N.Z. School Committees’ Conference

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29767, 9 March 1962, Page 12

N.Z. School Committees’ Conference

Education, in its best sense, involves a partnership between home and school, between the community and its teachers. Today, when the Dominion Federation of School Committees' Associations will open its twenty-fifth conference in Christchurch, the working of this partnership at the

primary school level will be well illustrated. It is almost impossible to conceive of the New Zealand elementary school system without its network of loqal householder committees, expressing the continual interest of an enlightened, democratic community in the welfare of its children and in their preparation for adulthood. When school committee elections become a little farcical—as they sometimes do—a change in the organisation is only rarely suggested. Almost always there are stalwarts ready to continue the administration of the local school A satisfactory feature of modern times is the way in which a school often becomes the social nucleus of a new housing district. Towards this unity of school and district the committee system probably contributes

more than any other single factor. The representatives of 1200 committees who will meet in Christchurch during the coming week-end typify the thousands of New Zealanders who find a practical outlet for their interest in education. Like any other

lay organisations pronouncing upon professional matters, the school committees’ federations sometimes surprise by the naivete, im-

prudence, and supererogation of their proposals; but only sometimes Generally they work in excellent harmony with the teachers, whose grievances they are not

backward in championing. They are valuable channels of approach to education boards, the Education Department, and the Minister. They interpret usefully two kinds of viewpoint: local and parental. Their anxiety for child happiness is inextinguishable, their pride in the schools tremendous. They are the salt of the Dominion’s primary education, and rank among its best assets.