EDUCATION REPORT

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 89, 12 October 1937, Page 10

EDUCATION REPORT

YEAR'S OPERATIONS

FACILITIES EXTENDED

"The year 1936 has been marked by the restoration of educational facilities that were reduced or withdrawn during previous years, and also by the extension or introduction of other additional educational facilities," stated the Minister of. Education (the Hon. P. Fraser) in the annual report of the Education Department, which was tabled in the House of Representatives this afternoon. "The policy placed before the country by the Government and reaffirmed on its assuming office at the end of 1935 was summed up as follows: —The readmission of the five-year-olds to public schools and the extension of kindergarten training; the extension of teacher-training facilities to provide the necessary staff for smaller classes; the rebuilding and reconditioning of old and unhygienic buildings; more liberal supplies of equipment, including adequate library facilities; the extension of dental treatment to all school-children; standard rates of pay for all teachers now serving under the , rationing scheme; right of appeal against nonappointment; improvement of the standard of teachers' residences. "As stated in my report for the year ended December 31, 1935, on assuming control of the portfolio of Education I found that the most pressing educational question- before the Government was that of the readmission to the public and Native schools of children of five years of age. = During the depression the lower limit of school age had been raised to six years. The first step towards realising the Government's educational policy was, therefore, a decision to readmit the excluded children. This decision, which was most widely appreciated and acclaimed, became effective upon the reopening of the schools in the year 1936. , ■ "The influx £f these children into the schools taxed accommodation in the infant-rooms 1 and presented in a few cases temporary staffing difficulties, but, due to the praiseworthy cooperation of the education boards and teachers, these difficulties were, in general, satisfactorily overcome. "A very important provision especially affecting primary schools was the section in the Education Amendment Act, 1936, which abolished (after September 30, 1937) the proficiency examination and the issue of certificates of proficiency and competency. The discontinuance of the proficiency examination . removes from our system an examination which, for over thirty years, has exerted a strong and generally restrictive influence on the teaching in primary schools. It is confidently hoped that teachers will take the opportunity they now have to plan for their pupils' courses of instruction that will ensure for them the fullest benefit obtainable from their education. FINANCIAL PROVISION. "The financial provision made in the year 1936 indicates the Government's determination to deal with the problem of the rebuilding and the reconditioning of old and unhygienic buildings. For this year a sum of £500,000 was provided for buildings, sites, etc., in connection with all branches of education. The previous year the sum provided was £180,000, plus " assistance to the extent of £23,060 from the Unemployment Fund. It is hoped to provide £550,000 for the financial year 1937-38.

"In the year 1936, for the general! maintenance of school buildings, residences, etc., the sum of £ 147,000 was provided for public schools and training colleges. Of this amount £100,000 was for general maintenance, £45,0001 was for ground improvements, andj .£2OOO was for special works. In the previous year £65,000 was voted. It is hoped that a sum of £180,000, will be provided for public schools and training colleges next financial year. "For secondary schools £19,500 was provided, as against £2000 for the previous year; for technical high schools £9500 as against £2000. Of the secondary allocation £18,000 and of the technical allocation £7000 was for ground improvements. For Native schools £7000 was provided, as against £6000 in the previous year. It is hoped to allocate a sum of £22,500 for secondary schools, £12,500 for technical high schools, and £ 10,000 for Native, schools, next financial year. "In the realisation that there is still much to be done to make school buildings safe against the danger of earthquake, it is intended to allot an additional £10,000 for this purpose in 193738.

"As far as possible new primary school buildings are being erected on the open-air principle, a design in which the Canterbury Education Board was the pioneer. This type of school, especially in its most, up-to-date form, the detached class-room, is now generally recognised as best for promoting the health of • the children.