School recruiting method criticised

Press, 24 September 1980, Page 10

School recruiting method criticised

Greymouth Reporter The practice of colleges from other centres advertising on the West Coast for pupils to enrol with them and become boarding pupils in their hostels, has been the subject of a special report by the principal of the Greymouth High School (Mr D. W. Hinch) to his board of governors.

The Buller area recently protested against advertising by Nelson colleges. “The complaint which led to the publicity,” says Mr Hinch’s report, “was but one of a series events over the recent recruiting campaigns. The topic will be on the agenda for the next meeting of the West Coast Combined Boards’ Association. The board will need

to have given it some consideration before then.” I suggest that the board should have some concern, since it has the only hostel on the coast. Like the advertising schools, it has vacancies in its hostel and, as the school rolls decline, more beds will be available (and the operating loss probably greater). The board will need to have some view on the advertising campaign and on the possibility of any similar action on its part.” Mr Hinch emphasised that parents had the right to choose to send their children away to boarding school. Also private schools had long used the practice of advertising and undoubtedly would continue to do so. “What is at issue is the

advertisement being placed by other State schools, and then having principals of those schools following up with recruiting visits. There is no question that both practices are unethical according to the P.P.T.A. code of ethics,” Mr Hinch said. “Why then should boards be concerned?

‘‘The advertisements suggest that what is offered locally is not as good as what is offered elsewhere. This could be a debatable claim. “In times of falling rolls such poaching is particularly serious especially since there is a ‘protected school in the area. An accelerated decline can lead to reduction in staff, ancillary hours, textbook grants and . other similar items which affect the present pupils. “Those parents who wish to send . their children away, for their education should make their own contact with the school of their choice, and not reply to an advertisement. “The possibilities which arise from competitive advertising for pupils are frightening to contemplate. I hope this board will resist the temptation to do it, and express its concerns to other boards which have started,” Mr Hinch said. “The number of pupils, as far as this school is concerned, is not high — other Coast schools have been hit much harder. What is important is the principle.”