Education Board Boundaries Advice

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29937, 26 September 1962, Page 12

Education Board Boundaries Advice

(New Zealand Press Association)

HAMILTON, September 25

The announcement that he proposed to appoint Mr G. N. Boulton, of Wanganui, as a one-man commission to investigate and report on boundaries of education boards in the Dominion was made by the Minister of Education (Mr Tennent) before he left Hamilton today.

Mr Teanenit said that after the apenting of the New Zealand Education Boards’ Association conference, he had had the opportunity of having informal discussions with membans dh this important matter. An early opportunity should be taken to examine the boards’ districts to see Whether further subdivisions were necessary, and to remove any anomalies that might exist in the present boundaries. "1 am able to tell you,” he said, “Bhait yesterday the Cabinet authorised me to set up a commission to go into the whole question of education board boundaries.”

He had been ’ associated with Mr Boulton for 32 years during the time he Othe Min* ister) had been a member, and, latter, Chairman of the Wanganui Education Board While Mr Boulton had been secretary. Since his retirement Mr Boulton had carried out the duties of secretary of the New Zealand Education Boards’ Association, but would retire from that post after the present conference. “It is understandable therefore,” said Mr Tennent, “that the delegates accepted Mr Boulton's appointment by an overwhelming majority and this will fortify him in his most important task.” He hoped that one of the major recommendations of the Commission on Education—namely the raising of the standards of entrance to

teachers’ colleges—would be given effect soon. “You will be aware,” Mr Tennent said, “that I have already made a statement that we are hoping to raise the standard to endorsed School Certificate for the February. 1864. entrants. “A final announcement is being held up so that the recruitment position for this year can be reviewed. “On the raither contentious problem of the community use of sdhool buildings, it has been suggested that legislation should be drafted to make such use compulsory. It do not feel that. I can agree to tills sitep. > “I am sure this is a case where voluntary co-operation will produce, the best results and legislation making it compulsory would cause trouble,” said Mr Tennent.