“Room In Other Schools For Refected Pupils”

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29898, 11 August 1962, Page 13

“Room In Other Schools For Refected Pupils”

(from Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, August 10. Though 150 out of approximately 3000 applicants for admission next year to Christchurch post-primary schools were unable to be enrolled in the school of their first choice, there was ample room for them in other schools, said the Minister of Education (Mr Tennent) in Parliament today.

He was replying to a question by Mr H J, Walker 'Government, St Albans), who asked if the Minister would confer with the Christchurch Post-Primary Schools Council concerning the establishment of a new boys’ high school in Christchurch

Mr Tennent said the pupils declined by the schools mentioned Christchurch Boys’ High 90. Shirley Boys’ High 43, other schools 20 —had ample room to follow the course of their choice at other Christchurch schools, as the over-all accommodation available was sufficient to meet all demands

“Various factors make it impracticable in Christchurch and also in other larger centres, to enrol every pupil in the school of his parents’ first choice." Mr Tennent said “Apart from the popularity of some schools, which regularly attract applications in excess of what would be expected from their natural contributory area, fluctuations in

the rate of growth of the school population in various parts of the city and surrounding urban area cause varying demands on the accommodation available at the individual schools. ‘‘The Christchurch PostPrimary Schools Council is charged with the responsibility of ascertaining the requirements of the whole of the Christchurch area in respect of post-primary education. and of making recommendations to me for the building of new schools in the area. “No doubt, when the need arises for the provision of a new post-primary school, the council will, in making its recommendations concerning the type of school desired, take account of the trend in applications for enrolment at existing schools.”

Mr Walker then asked whether, in cases where there were more applicants than places, the Minister thought that certain schools were jus-

tilled in selecting as pupils those whom they thought would benefit most by the course available. Mr Tennent said it was incumbent on schools to take pupils as they came. He knew, however. that there was a practice in some schools of selecting pupils of higher academic attainment. He had knowledge of two Christchurch schools w'hicb did this.

Mr J. Mathison (Opposition, Avon): Is that Government policy? Mr Tennent: No. All should share alike.