SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 187, 10 May 1928, Page 13

SECONDARY SCHOOLS

COHERENT POLICY NEEDED

CONFERENCE OUTLINES SCHEME

In discussing the question of commercial high schools at the conference of technical school teachers yesterday, Mr. J. H. Howell moved that the report of the edmmittee be referred to the executive for consideration, the executive to submit a scheme of post-primary school reorganisation to members of the association for examination by branches before it is discussed by the annual conference in 1929. . Mr, Jones seconded the motion, which was supported by Miss Robertson. Dr. Hansen (Christchurch) said it seemed to him that the principle of junior high schools was shelved for some years. He did not wish to see composite schools where children would attend for four years after their primary education, and they should fight it in the interests of the children. Regarding cost, it did not cost more for technical schools than for secondary schools. He thought, too, that the time would come when they would do as was done in the Old Country, have one school for Engineering and other schools for other subjects. Mr. W. G. Aldridge (Dunedin) moved an 'amendment, “That this association “(1) Accepts the responsibility of putting forward in the near future a coherent policy in regard to post-primary education in this country. “(2) Agrees that any such system should satisfy the following conditions, namely, (1) Provide differential courses at an age under 14 years, the variety of the courses to be free from artificial restriction in any district, and as far ■as may be found expedient within any one school. (2) While not denying the necessity for .setting up new types of post-primary schools, asserts that (a) such schools, should be associated for purposes of control with schools now in existence; (b) separate schools ought to differ chiefly in the length of the courses they offer. (3)\Urges that certain characteristics of our present system must be conserved, such as (a) opportunities for co-education of boys and girls; (b) centres of initiative and reforming tendencies such as now exist in the technical high school; (c), control by local administrative boards.” Mr. Howell said he was willing to accept this in addition to his amendment. , , , Mr. J. Metson (Westport) contended that the only school possible for small centres was of the composite type. After further discussion the matter, together, with the amendments, was referred to the executive for consideration and report to the next conference. ASSISTANT TEACHERS’ CONFERENCE The annual conference of the Secondary Schools’ Assistants’ Association of New Zealand was held at Firth House, Wellington College, yesterday. The president (Mr. A. W. Short) presided over an attendance of some 40 delegates. Some exception was taken to a recent public statement by the Director of Education, "that children pass from the best teachers of primary schools to the worst teachers of secondary schools.” Several delegates took this to be a reflection upon secondary school teachers, and held that the Director should be asked to explain exactly what he meant by the statement. A delegate pointed out that most secondary schools had their best teachers instructing the Third Form. Another speaker declared that it was well known that in most secondary schools the most inexperienced teachers were to be found in charge of the Third Form, and this no doubt was what the Director had referred to. Mr. J. N. Millard said that if the association was going to take exception to every utterance which they did not like made by a public man, they would only make themselves ridiculous. The remit was thrown out.

A remit was passed to the effect that the time has arrived when the cuts in salaries imposed in 1922 should be restored.

A motion was passed protesting against the fact that no information had been received as to any results achieved by the committee set up more than a year ago to inquire into the working of the teachers’ superannuation scheme. Election of Officers. The election of officers resulted as follows :-rPresident, Mr. H. E. G. Smith; vice-president, Mr. R. M. Collins; secretary and treasurer, Mr. A. S. B’arquhar; hon. auditor, Mr.W. Alexander; executive, Miss lizard, Mr. Short (North Island), Messrs. Stewart and McCulloch (South Island), Messrs. McNaught and Martin-Smith (resident representatives). The following officers were elected to represent the association on the New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Association: —Vice-president, Miss Edgeley; members of council, Miss Collins and Messrs. Mcßay and Smith.