IN THE SCHOOLS

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 54, 12 September 1928, Page 19

IN THE SCHOOLS

SYSTEM DISCUSSED SYLLABUS REVISION SIZE OF. CLASSES A general discussion on tho education system took place in the House of Representatives yesterday. Mr. P. Frasor (Wellington Central) complained of the manner in which the report of the Syllabus Committee, had been presented to the public, remarking that the views .set out in tho minority report had not been given as much prominence as the views expressed in the majority...report. Personally, he believed that, although the minority report contained some recommendations of value, the majority report was more expressive- of the views of educationists . generally. .- He did not think a more authoritative.document had ever been placed before the public of New Zealand. He would like to know whether tho Minister was prepared to adopt it. The committee had recognised that the children, should havo an opportunity of getting an adequate cultural education. The annual report of tho Department this year backed up the committee in this respect. The Minister should say what his programme for next year in respect to school buildings would be; what his intentious were in regard to reduction in the size of classes; and what ho intended to,do with regard to the report of the Syllabus Revision Committee. Mr, G. AY. Forbes (Hurunui) raised the question of the boarding allowance of country children who had to attend schools in the towns. Tho present conditions were niggardly and the small amount allowed (ono shilling a day) was stopped for sickness and public holidays. It was impossible for children to be boarded in town - for . five shillings a week. Tho principle of free education should bo extended as far as possible to the children in the country. • FUTURE OF THE CHILDREN. Mr. T. M. AVilford (Hutt) said that his constituency was concerned about the question of junior high schools. The Minister should make a pronouncement at the earliest opportunity as to whether or not the experiment at Oamaru meant the putting aside of the scheme. Ho would also like to'know what view tho Minister had of tho future of the thousands of children who were being put through the technical schools. There was no use in training thousands of students if- there was to bo no outlook ahead of them. He did not suggest that the technical education vote should be reduced, but ho suggested that the Ministor of Industries and Commerce and the Minister of Education should take a joint interest in the welfare of tho future of the children- attending];, technical schools. . Mr. E. J. Howard (Christchurch South) trusted that no reduction would bo made in the Education Vote, .even though the report seemed to boast that the expenditure was being reduced. Somo of the old schools badly needed replacement, and one could almost wish that some of them would be burnt down as that Would appear to be the only way in which a remedy could be obtained for the present state of affairs, such as that which obtained in AVest Christchurch. The Hon. D. Buddo (Kaiapoi) urged caution in dealing with educational problems as there was too groat a tendency for amateur experts to bring, forward -schemes. " It was desirable to encourago tuition iv rural subjects, as far as possible TOO MUCH OVERLAPPING. Sir John Luke (Wellington North) congratulated the Minister of Education, on his work since he had taken over'-tho portfolio. In his opinion there was an overlapping in the Dominion's education system, and there was need for a review of the position. He did not think Now Zealand possessed as much information as was desirable in regard to junior high schools, Sir John said he subscribed to the opinion which had been generally expressed that classes in the schools wero too large, but he did not think it desirable that two teachers should be placed in one room. Ono of the difficulties in. New Zealand was that too many boys went in'"blind-alley" occupations, one of the reasons being that the opportunities were not so great as they were a few years ago. Tho vital importance of technical education was stressed by Mr. H. T. Armstrong (Christchurch East), who said ho was afraid the Government was not devoting as much attention to that phase of education as it should. If Now Zealand was to progress the,secondary industries would have to be encouraged, for if New Zealand was going to be turned into a sheep run it would be impossible to find employment for the people of the country. Mr. J. Horn (AVakatipu) said it wasall very well for city members to-com-plain of large classes, but in the country districts one teacher had to teach a whole school. Mr. AY. L. Martin (Raglan) referred with gratification to tho increased amount of interest which was being shown in the country schools. The Loader of tho Opposition (Mr. 11. E. Holland) sought an explanation as to tho printing of tho Syllabus Rovision Committee's report, It seemed to him that one section had been set up in a newspaper office and the other in the Government Printing Office, From a printing point of view that did not seem to be desired, and the Minister was a printer. He urged that toaehcrs should be given the right''of appeal against non-appointment, but thanked the Minister for the consideration which ho* had. alwayr given to representations from the various electorates. He wanted to know, however, whether opportunity- would be given this session .to remedy what he described as an anomaly w'heroby' the Department had power to. make regulations overriding Statute laW. Mr. H;. G, :R.. Mason (Eden) regretted the Minister's lack of enthusiasm for junior; -high ' schools, and said all members Could . hopo for was that the rumour that they were to be killed was untrue. Mr. Mason also made reference to tho grading system, which, he described as impossible. Mr. M. J. Savago (Auckland West) expressed fear that economy was being practised by tho Education Department to tho detriment of tho children, attending the schools and tho education system generally. He urged an extension of instruction in swimming and life-saving. REDUCING CLASSES. Replying to the debate, the Ministor of Education (the Hon. R. A. Wright) said during the last few years very considerable progress had been made in reducing the size of classes. At present he did not think it was practical 'to reduce tho size of classes to I thirty, but it was his aim to reduce the number, to forty. .He was concentrating on that ideal. Attention was also being paid to tho question of remodelling schools with a view to making further room for classes. Referring to the printing of tho Syllabus Committee's report, the Minister said tho members of the committee who signed the 'minority report had their report printed themselves, and he did not see the necessity for having it reprinted. The Government had asked members

of llic couuuittco io supply a number < of (iopiea of its report. ■ Tlio Leader of the Opposition: VM you pay them for tho printing?" Mr. Wright: "Yes." Discussing the question of hostels attached to high schools, tho Minister aaid these institutions had nothing whatever to clv with the Department, but wcro conducted entirely by the respective .Kilucation Boards. ■ He did not think tho charges were- at all excessive. Mr. Wrigit clid not see how it would bo possiblo tor the Govcniment to provide for the conveyance of children to the secondary schools. Referring to the difficulty; experienced in placing children w occupations on their leaving school, the Minister said, his main concern at the present time was in giving the boys and girls tho education that was bust suited to their abilities. It was true that during tho last ; j'ear there had been more trouble in 'placing young people than he had ever known before, but he attributed that to. the bad times through which the country had been passing. As business and commerce improved however, he did not anticipate any great difficulty. In regard to tho complaint by tho Leader of tho Opposition that regulations under the Education Act wero allowed to override the Statutes, the Minister said ho was sorry '"to have to admit that tho Education Act was in such a condition that, it was ditficuit'to know just what to do with it. The Leader of the Opposition: "'Who is responsible for that?" The Minister: "It's tho responsibility of years. It has been added to by one. Minister and then another, and it should have been overhauled long ago. It was too big a task for this session, but it will bo dealt with next session." • Replying to an interjection by _ tho Leader of the Opposition, the Minister said lie did not agree that regulations should override the statutes. Tho Minister's reference to junior high schools, and the Syllabus Committee's report are reported elsewhere.