REDUCTION WANTED

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 165, 10 April 1934, Page 8

REDUCTION WANTED

Size of School Classes MAXIMUM OF 35 URGED The question of large classes was discussed by the meeting of the Wellington. School Committees, and Educational Federation last night, when the following remit to the annual meetings of householders was submitted by the executive: "That the principle of no more than 35 scholars to any one teacher be reaffirmed.” The secretary, Mr. N. Ingram, said that in the Education Department’s 1933 report it was stated that there was an average of 32.33 scholars per teacher. The average was low, lie said, because of the number of schools with small attendances. There were 600 schools in New Zealand with a total attendance of less than 27. He knew of cases where.there were classes of over 50. “We are not getting 32 scholars per teacher by any means in city or urban districts,” be said. Mr. J. J. Fyffe said the resolution was brought up year after year, aud nothing was done about it. "Tiie committees can’t do anything; they have no more power than a chained-up dog.” he said, in suggesting that the question should be approached from another angle. Mr. A. Parlane said that they should keep hammering away at it. Christianity had been introduced 1900 years ago, and it was still being hammered away At. The chairman, Mr. L. J. McDonald, said that the problem only affected the city schools. On the motion of Mr. Fyffe, the following resolution was carried, to take the place of the suggested remit: “‘That the Education Department be approached to amend the stalling regulations of the larger schools to ensure a maximum of 35 pupils to each teacher.”