Board objects to crime link

Press, 18 February 1978, Page 4

Board objects to crime link

The Canterbury Education Board reacted strongtion Board reacted strongly yesterday to a suggestion that intermediate schools were linked to the increasing rate of juvenile crime.

The suggestions were made late last year by a retiring Wanganui Magistrate, Mr J. C. K. Fabian, S.M., who said that boredom and lack of discipline started at the intermediate school.

Board members agreed that a letter be sent to the Education Boards Association protesting about Mr Fabian’s remarks and noting that research had shown that intermediate schools were favoured by

communities in which they existed. The E.B.A. should request information from Mr Fabian to back up his statements so that the board could also be made aware of the problems which Mr Fabian alluded to, members said.

Mr M. C. Butler said that the increase in juvenile crime had to be acknowledged and that children of intermediate school age were involved. “However every day when I read in the newspaper that mothers are losing their employment and have to go back into the homes I believe this is a good thing, for the parental angle in this has to be accepted,” he said.