Fewer Phys. Ed. Teachers But Same Programme

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30239, 18 September 1963, Page 16

Fewer Phys. Ed. Teachers But Same Programme

(From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, September 17. An explanation that, although the number of physical education teachers was being reduced, it was not proposed to reduce the size of physical education programmes in primary schools, was made by the Minister of Education (Mr Tennent) in Parliament this afternoon.

Mr Tennent.said it was intended to place more responsibility on teachers generally to give adequate physical training, rather than build up a special corps of physical education instructors. During discussion of the Education Department Estimates, Mr Tennent said it was proposed to reduce the number of physical training instructors from 76 to 46. “We are not sacking any, but as they go to other branches they will not be replaced. But we are going to increase the salaries of this branch of the service.” Mr Tennent said that every student going through teachers’ training colleges was oeing given training-in physical education instruction. Inspectors would visit schools and where, perhaps, they found a teacher was not giving instruction as well as he should be the teacher could be given further training. “Instruction by more qualified teachers will be more good in the long run,” Mr Tennent said. Mr N. J. King (Opp., Waitemata) raised the subject by saying that it seemed unfair to raise the status of members of the physical education branch while at the same time reducing the numbers from 76 to 46. He said the reduction in staff was “most unwise.”

Mr W. A. Fox (Opp., Miramar) said he was astounded to learn staff was being reduced. It was accepted that physical educaiton was absolutely essential. He understood staff in Welington had been reduced from nine to five. What effect would that have on instruction in schools?

He said the pre-1952 physical welfare branch of the Internal Affairs Department was the strongest force against juvenile delinquency. Mr Tennent said a departmental officer last year recruited up to 20 physical education officers in Britain. “He could have brought more back, but there were no places for them.” Mr W. E. Rowling (Opp., Buller) said that by reducing the number of physical education officers, New Zealand was moving away from the specialist system, more important today than ever. “It is a great shame that the emphasis on physical education should be allowed to decline,” he said. “It has been suggested that with the decline of these specialists we have seen a rise in delinquency.” The Postmaster-General (Mr Kinsella) said more people than ever before were being trained to teach physical education. There had been no curtailment in emphasis on physical education. But the emphasis had changed from itinerant instructor to resident teacherinstructor. In addition, the Government had established a corps of 46 highly-qualified specialists, Mr Kinsella said. Assembly Halls The system of building school assembly halls which could not be used as gymnasiums was called “nonsensical” by Mr W, W. Freer (Opp., Mt. Albert). He hoped emphasis would be placed on constructing a composite building for use as both which would allow schools to get the maximum use out of a large covered area. Schools given a grant for an assembly hall often later asked for money to build a gymnasium. Mr Freer said Mr Tennent said it was over to a school to decide whether it would apply for a subsidy for a gymnasium or an assembly hall. Blind Schools The indications were that there were insufficient blind

pupils in the South Island to warrant the building of a school for them there, said Mr Tennent.

Although toe department was sympathetic towards the problem of blind children, the matter was over to the Foundation for the Blind. Mr H. J. Walker (Govt., St. Albans) said blind children from the South Island had to travel to Auckland for their education and this involved parents in considerable expense. Children with other afflictions had taxis provided to take them to and from school each day and he suggested that the ChristchurchAuckland return air fare for the child and escort would not be as great a cost to the Government as the provision of these daily taxis. Use Of Halls

The use of university halls of residence as motel type tourist accommodation during the summer university vacation was suggested by Mr Walker. One of toe difficulties with halls of residence was toe standing charges—the maintenance of beds not used all year round, he said. His proposal would help to make the university hostels pay and at toe same time would help overcame the shortage of tourist accommodation. Mr Walker said about 50 per cent of university students were living away from home and about 11 per cent were able to find accommodation in halls of residence. This meant that in round figures that for every one student accepted in a hall of residence four were turned away. Bus Trips Some country school children were reported to be missing part of their classes because long school bus routes, and sometimes double trips, were necessary, said Mr J. H. George (Govt.. Otago Central). He enumerated these complaints: School buses were overloaded, had too big a mileage to cover, forced children to leave home too early in the morning and to leave school too early in the afternoon.

“I have been told that in some cases children are missing part of their school classes at a very important stage of their education,” he said.

Mr George suggested that another look be taken at the whole question of school transport. Mr Tennent said he was satisfied that the transport system was doing a very good job. There were certain rules that had to be followed and toe Education Department did interpret the rules as liberally as it could. Help For Poor

A plea for more help for toe bright child from a poor home who was attending post primary school on a bursary was made by Mrs E. I. Tombleson (Govt.. Gisborne).

“Even though he wins a bunsary, he should still in my opinion be allowed to receive a boarding allowance. Others get the boarding allowance of £5O. Some parents are in very poor circumstances and should get both the bursary and boarding allowance, provided the child is worthy of it,” she said.