SCHOOL COMMITTEES

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 103, 2 May 1924, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEES

THE YEAR'S WORK

c T hs, report of the Wellington school Committees' Association has been published. Detailing the -work of the year, the report states, inter alia: "Capitation grants prove inadequate for the proper caro of school premises, particularly where buildings have, long passed the usual allotted span of1 life. ■ Committees are unable to grant adequate recompense for the proper cleansing of buildings and at the same time attend to the necessary minor- repairs. We are of the opinion that in1 the case of the. larger schools, the grants allowed should enable those committees to employ whole time caretakers and hereby eliminate a number of the accounts for minor repairs. . "Unfortunately nothing further has been accomplished with regard to a cheaper system of school books and stationery. For throo' years the Minister has been making inquiries, but as far as we have been advised, no results have been achieved. We do not really believe the Minister was serious "about the matter. He has stated on more than one occasion that 'anything given free is not appreciated.' This statement is not borne out in fact. Supplies of handwork material are still short. Tho system of Departmental control has not worked out satisfactorily. Not only are supplies a long way behind in delivery, but such aro coming to hand are quite inadequate for the proper carrying on of the work in the schools, being much below the quantities requisitioned by head teachero. A good staff, badly equipped, is hardly conducive to efficiency. ■ The State cannot save by robbing the chilLIBRARIES. "The libraries system inaugurated by the City Council continues. to give entire satisfaction. The appreciation of the children is manifested in their eagerness to secure their changes of books bom week to week. It is gratifying also to note: that the system'has been extended to certain Hutt Valley schools. The only cost to committees is for cartage to and from the school once a year, and a reasonable payment for lost. volumes. When it is realised that during the past year some -10,000 volumes have been in circulation amongst some '32 schools and that the lost books totalled only 175, it must be conceded that the system, is most highly appreciated. ' VISUAL INSTRUCTION. "We regret the action of the Minister in advising the board that expenditure cannot be authorised for the purchase of machines for displaying educational pictures in schools. We are opposed to private enterprise in catering for this pare of school work. We cannot believo that the Minister has seriously considered this question, and hope that/ho will again go into the pros and cons and reach a different decision. . "We believe that we are on the eve of great events in the educational world. All 6ectk>ns are clamouring for change. The action of the Minister in taking from boards and committees their original powers and treating them as irresponsible bodies has tended to disgust some of tha personnel. They consider the time spent in their meetings as 'wasted hours.' They refuse to offer themselves for further torms of office. If the Minister wishes to abolish these bodies ho should at least take a courageous stand, and 6ay so openly. Continuous pin-pricking and behind-the-back methods are no incentive to loyal service. AYe have an' educational system, which under proper control, could bo made second to none in the world. The amazing, confusing regulations are hampering staffs, boards, and committees. The onus is on the Minister of Education;"