JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 83, 4 October 1929, Page 10

JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS

GOVERNMENT'S POLICY

FULL INQUIRY-BEFORE DECIDING '■

Junior high school policy came in for brief discussion on the Education. Department Estimates in the "House of Representatives to-day. .':...-' Mr. B. A. Wright (Reform, Wellington Suburbs) asked what the positionwas in regard to the junior highschools. <■ It had been said the whole matter was to be referred to a Special 'Committee, but it seemed to him that that would mean that the question would be held up, for twelve months. What was to happen in the meantime? He suggested that the : Department should procged with the erection of schools as in" the past; ■' Mr. J. S. Fletcher (United, Grey Lynn) said he hoped the Minister would not be stampeded into making too hurried a statement in regard to junior high schools. Personally, he believed a system 'of intermediate schools such as existed in Scotland, would be adopted. Mr. A. Harris (Keform, "Waiteniata) urged that the Minister should, make a statement as early as possible about the junior high school policy. The Minister of Education* (the Hon. H. Atmorc) said the question had been referred to in the Governor-General's Speech and the statement that ..a Select Committee would be set up had "been amplified in the Budget. The Committee had since been set up, and it had already liad one discussion. He thought^ members would agree that-a Parliamentary Committee, and not one selected from outside, should take evidence on the question. (Hear, hear.) A very fine Committee had been set up and the members were all Enthusiastic about taking evidence. He did not consider that there had been any delay in announcing the policy because they were considering the programed to be carried out. They wanted to take evidence from all the different groups in New Zealand. The groups would ho asked to nominate speakers-to represent their views as to the best wayof carrying out the policy. He wanted members to consider themselves as being all equally "interested and any recommendation they made would be considered by the Committee. There was no delay. The fullest information was wanted before a. decision was made. • '

Mr. H. G. Dickie (Beform^Patea)' said the Minister had given, the impression that he was in favour of junior high schools. Ho hoped that their establishment would- not result in inroads being made into the country schools. . „ '