RONGOTAI COLLEGE

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 145, 22 June 1938, Page 21

RONGOTAI COLLEGE

PARENTS' CONCERN

The necessity for vigilance to prevent disabilities being placed on the staff and boys of Rongotai College by the advent of the Centennial Exhibition, is stressed in the report to be presented at the annual meeting of the Rongotai Boys' College Parents' Association tonight. An improvement in the present unhygienic and retarding (conditions at the school is also stated to be necessary. "Consideration was given by the committee to the question of calling a general meeting of the parents' assotion of the other Wellington secondary schools and kindred bodies for the purpose of discussing the University Entrance examination, more particularly with reference to the system of marking, but was held over pending the publication of the details of the Education Amendment Bill," states the report. "This has recently been submitted in draft form for further consideration by a Select Parliamentary Committee, but deals mainly with the administrative side of the education system rather than effecting reforms in the method of examination. However, the Bill, as at present drafted, contains provisions of momentous effect so far as Rongotai College is concerned, and as from January 1, 1939, the college will be directly administered by an education board,,but from June\ 1940, will be entitled to elect its own school council, and, within fairly wide limits,, to administer its own "While the break with the personnel of the present Board of Governors, who have unselfishly given of their best for a number of years and have a wide and sympathetic knowledge ot the requirements of the several colleges under their control, is to be regretted, it is considered that the projected scheme of rorganisation should react beneficially on the whole educational system. . , "During the year. deputations have waited-on the College Board of Governors and the secretary to the Minister of Education in order to emphasise the overcrowding of classrooms, the inadequacy'" of the teaching facili-: ties, and the general handicap under which the principal and staff are expected to work. Unfortunately, little tangible success has attended the committee's eflorts to date. The delay is understood to be due to the possible changes arising out of the findings of : the Commission at present investigating the suitability and alterations ; necessary to the Rongotai Aerodrome . It is considered, however, that no valid reason exists why all relief be with- ' held when certain approved altera--1 tions could have been proceeded with I which are not likely to be affected i by the findings of the Commission."