Plans to extend use of schools

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33155, 20 February 1973, Page 4

Plans to extend use of schools

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND. The Minister of Education (Mr Amos) envisages greater use being made of school buildings and grounds. The Education Department and the Ministry of Recreation were investigating a plan to use all schools as community centres, Mr Amos told the national executive of i the Parent-Teacher Associaciations, in Auckland at the week-end. Under the plan the schools would become community colleges, offering a wide variety of courses and activities after school hours and at week-ends. With the co-operation of local authorities, school grounds could be combined with local body recreation areas, he said. The plan called* for professionals, as distinct from school staff, to

direct the community centres. Mr Amos said that as soon as possible better retraining facilities would be put into use.

The department was making an intensive survey of tertiary education, one of its aims being to provide better retraining for adults in districts distant from centres of university and polytechnic education. Rural education facilities for both children and adults concerned him greatly, said the Minister. A number of plans were being discussed to give people in rural areas equal educational opportunities at ail levels. Cricket.—Sri Lanka 86 and 1-55/6 <A. Tennekoon 47), M.C.C. 163 (M. H. Denness 36, A. W. Greig 61: De Silva 5/40). Speed skating. — G. Claeson (Sweden) led after the first day in the world amateur speed skating championship. Claeson won the 5000 metres in 7min 47.035ec after taking second place in the opening event, the SO4 metres.