SCHOOL COMMITTEES’ ASSOCIATION

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 174, 11 April 1923, Page 5

SCHOOL COMMITTEES’ ASSOCIATION

OVERCROWDED SCHOOLS

‘‘We ere pleased” (says the annual report of the Wellington School Committees’ Association) ‘‘to see that the recent agitation has stirred the powers that be into action with regard to the ‘tin shed’ in Elizabeth Street, and tho decision of Cabinet to grant £BOOO is something. Why is it necessary that suffering should be caused and a public outcry raised before tho Department, will mover' We supported Kaiwarra m their application tor a new :chool, long overdue, but so far the Department has failed to realise tho need. Miramar South, a new school, uas overcrowded, three months after opening, necessitating the holding of classes in draughty corridors. The overflow is now to be accommodated in the Miramar Town Hall. Lyall Bay is ovorerowded. Brooklyn suffers from senile decay. Newtown, which was considered an urgent work twelve months ago, has now been forgotten entirely. Mount Cook, Te Aio —but why continue ?

’“The question of sanitary charges is of vital interest to the outlying schools. We are glad to record that our efforts on behalf of Karori were successful, and resulteel in a remission of the charges for 12 months. The Department should, if these charges sre legal, make special provision in such cases. It is unreasonable to expect a committee to expond a quarter’s capitation per annum in sanitary fees. We await the decision of the Hawke’s Bay case with interest.

‘"We are attentively watching the results of the experiment of junior high schools. We are not yet convinced that the move is altogether a good one. The effect on capitation, staffing, ctc 7 has not beer, settled to our satisfaction.

“Considerable attention has been paid, to the various phases of the appointment of teachers, and tho whole seems to hinge on the salary question. The pernicious system of payment on average attendance is unjust; ability should be the basis of salaries. Country schools should be given the same opportunity for fully qualified teachers as the city schools : indeed, is it not more necessary that a country teacher, who may have to take several standards, should be better qualified than ho who teaches one only? The manner off notifying committees ire apointments is farcical. In this respect the board’s interpretation of the Act and the directors’ are at variance. Which is correct?

“Wo congratulate tho teachers on the suec&ss of tho school snorts meeting. Their management of the function leaves little to be desired and reflects tho greatest credit on their ability and enthusiasm. “It is impossible to detail the many matters requiring attention, and a br’ef outline must suffice. It is stated that a cut of £30.000 will be made in the education vote this year. Tho 'statement is denied bv the Minister, but nevertheless ho has commenced bv limit’ng subsidies. This matter will require careful attention. The method of conducting school committee elections calls for some reform. School supplies could be purchased on a co-operative plan. Free school books and stationery’ need more boosting. A proper proportion of male teachers on school staffs should be urged. Tho M'nister promised to increase committeemen’s powers —we still look for a sign of the execution of the promise. “We cannot congratulate the Minister of Education on ibis treatment of the -children living at Ngejiauranga who are compelled to attend the Kaiwarra School. We ihace appealed for the health, safety, convenience, and comfort of these children, but the M'nister of Health and Education refuses to receive a deputation unless somp fresh reasons can be put forward. What other reasons can be required? If a farmer’s pig or cow is taken sick the Government will send a vetterinary surgeon at any cost to see to tho beast. Are we to assume that tho health of those children is of less moment than the health of cattle and swine?

“Another question of health is iffo matter of conveniences at schools. It is a scandalous state of affairs that the majority of schools in Mrelh'ngton are lacking the accommodation laid down by regulations. Newtown School is 14’ short in the number of conveniences ; Kaiwarra is four short: Brooklyn 50 per cent, short. A full list makes interesting reading. We are going to push this matter hard. We aannot aPow such a menace to health to continue. The coming year in full of possibilities. With the assistance of committees backed by the householders we can accomplish great things. For the sake of the children, who are our future citizens, let us give of our best. The future of our city, our country, and our nation depends on what we do to-day.”