CONSOLIDATION OF SCHOOLS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 172, 18 April 1939, Page 11

CONSOLIDATION OF SCHOOLS

Board Criticizes Present Policy “ILLOGICAL POSITION” By Telegraph—Press Association. NELSON, April 17. Describing as illogical the present policy of parents of school children deciding the question of consolidation of schools, the Nelson Education Board decided to point out the present position to the Minister of Education and explain what the board considers is a ridiculous situation which: has arisen over the proposal to consolidate the Black’s Point School with the Reefton School. The board has for some time been anxious to provide better school facilities for the Black’s Point children who, in the words of the chairman, Mr. McIntyre, M.L.C., have the worst conditions of any school in the board’s district. The Black’s Point School is only 1} miles from Reefton, and the board has been unanimous in its opinion that it should be consolidated with the Reefton School by transporting children to the larger centre. However, it has been the policy of the Minister of Education not to enforce consolidation in any ease where a majority of parents is not favourable. When the' board recently visited the West Coast the chairman and senior inspector, Mr. G. Overton, supported by the M.P. for Motueka, Mr. Skinner, met the Black’s Point parents and stressed the advantages which would accrue from consolidation in preference to erecting a new building to replace the present old and unsuitable school at such a short distance from the larger centre. Parents were advised to give full consideration to the matter and present a petition for submission to the Minister. At today’s meeting of the board advice was received that individual parents had expressed their wish in the matter, resulting as follows: In favour of a new school, 39: in favour of consolidation, 1. The chairman said Black’s Point had the worst conditions of any school in the Nelson education district. “After today the board will take no responsibility for children being taught in the old school. If the Minister will not consolidate, then, in view of the parents’ decision, the board wants a new school,” he said. Mr. F. A. Hamilton: Should the board not voice its disapproval of the policy of parents making a decision on a question of consolidation? The chairman: The Black’s Point ease shows the fallacy of the policy. Mr. J. H. Harkness: We should say we want consolidation and ask that the board be able to decide the matter if, in its opinion and that of the senior inspector, it is considered in the best interests of’ education. Mr. F. A. Carling: We could draw the attention of the Minister to the absurdity of the position.

It was decided that the board draw the attention of the Minister to the illogical position as a result of the question of consolidation being decided by parents and point out that the Black’s Point proposal is a glaring example of a ridiculous position.