Schools policy unchanged

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 34030, 19 December 1975, Page 2

Schools policy unchanged

The Minister of Education . (Mr Gandar) made it clear today that National's policy on the integration of private schools is unchanged.

In a statement released through the Member of Parliament for Hastings (Mr Robert Fenton), Mr Gandar said integration was not a condition of State aid and independent schools would receive 50 per cent of the State teachers salaries according to the 1970 formula. This week, Mr Fenton sought clarification from Mr Gandar on a radio report which stated that Mr Gandar had said that a revision of! the Integation Act might not now be necessary. Mr Gandar telephoned Mr Fenton last night and read to him the verbatim transcript of his ! comments to Radio New Zealand. "From this it is clear that he was not fully reported . . said Mr Fenton. , “The excerpt from his remarks wa« accurate in itself 'but was not comprehensive

enough to remove misunderistanding and even apprehension.”

Mr Fenton said that if I integration into the State; system should be a voluntary; I association of independent schools with the State i schools, Mr Gandar would 'welcome the move, provided j the special character of the I integrating schools was preserved. ' Mr Gandar also said that as I well as protecting the unique 'character of independent i schools, Mr Gandar would I would also review several anomalies.

Urgent attention would be ; given to the removal of barriers preventing the free flow .of teachers with similar qualifications and experience ; within a total system of I State, integrated, and independent institutions. The position of the abated schools would also be restored within the existing formula and abatement procedures would be reviewed. The principle of parity with State salaries scales and staffing ratios would be retained and these anomalies were i removed. I

Mr Fenton said that Mri Gandar had stated that inte-i gration was not a prerequisite to receiving the levels of i aid outlined and the smaller i i colleges could expect that' some time in 1976 National’s! proposals would come into! effect as promised.

Spokesmen for Anglican and Presbyterian schools said today that the need of church schools other than Roman Catholic ones had been overlooked in the Pri-| vate Schools Conditional Integration Act.

Mr M. Hardie Boys (the Anglican Schools Governing Bodies Association) and Professor B. D. Inglis (the Council of Boards of Govern o r s of Presbyterian Schools) said that the statement by the Roman Catholic bishops' on Sunday, accepting integration, was unlikely to allay the grave reserva- . tions the non-Catholic ' church schools had towards the act.

“Statements by the National Party on the position of independent schools lead us to believe that the change of Government will bring a new perspective to the

whole question of conditional integration. “We know that the Minis-i ter of Education will wish to! find measures which will be fair to everyone.” The statement said that the act did not adequately protect the special character of an integrated school, and the two bodies Would suggest to the Minister some added statutory protection, particularly in the areas of control and responsibility. “We are also concerned; about the position of teachers in schools which do not: integrate. The Minister, during the debate on the act, plainly recognised that there are injustices which must be : put right, and we will be ; suggesting ways in which i this might be done.

“Our associations do not intend to become a pressure group, pestering the Minister with unwanted views. The Minister is already aware of some of the problem areas, and our associations will offer him whatever constructive assistance he needs in arriving at a final formula which will be fair to all interests.”