Reference To Country High Schools “Unfair”

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31986, 13 May 1969, Page 20

Reference To Country High Schools “Unfair”

Concern about a statement that , appeared as part of the recommendations by North Canterbury Federated Farmers to a meeting in Wellington on medical services in country districts has been expressed by the chairman of the Darfieid High School board of governors (Mr D. L. Waghorn): Mr Waghorn said that in outlining why it was difficult to persuade doctors into rural practice, the report, which was printed in “The Press” on May 6, spoke of “the lack of facilities in- country high schools for a basic professional education for doctors’ children." “While welcoming healthy criticism and conceding that there are many improvements we would like to see in all aspects of education, rural and otherwise, my board feels that this statement could mislead the public, and is unfair to country secondary education in particular,” said Mr Waghorn. “My board would be interested to know what the writers of the report consider a ‘basic professional education’ as we feel that every country high or district high school in North Canterbury has the staff and facilities to offer such an education. Some small district high schools certainly cannot easily take students to university entrance level, but, an analysis of their school certificate results would compare favourably with any city high schools. “Admittedly few. if any, country high schools offer Latin as a basic subject, but this must be some relief to i many parents who then claim academic bursaries and send

t their children to city schools > a little more cheaply than i they otherwise would be able - to. So few students at univer- ■ slty study Latin after leaving i high school that it is doubti ful whether it can any longer i be recognised as a basic prol fessional subject. Analysis Suggested “An analysis of the num- [ ber of students attending uni- ■ versity who have received all : or at least three years secondI ary education at rural schools , would be a most interesting ■ study for the education sub--1 committee of Federated ; Farmers, and could give that organisation considerable cause for reflection on the ' accuracy of the statement ; quoted above. 1 “My board and lam sure, , other authorities would wel- ‘ come discussions with Fed--1 erated Farmers with a view \ to improving rural secondary educational facilities in any ; way possible. We do feel, however, that statements such as the one in question do noth- ' ing to help engender the pub- ’ lie’s confidence in country ; secondary education which is so essential to country high schools to help them build up their rolls to a level ; where it Is much less difficult to provide the facilities 1 we desire. "To quote again from the ! report: ‘The country dweller ' is entitled to and should re--1 ceive the same standard of ’ medical attention as his city ■ counterpart . . .’ “We believe he is being offered, but does not always : avail himself of, the same : basic professional education i for his children as his city i counterpart,” said Mr Wagl horn.