SCHOOL BY POST

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 135, 5 December 1939, Page 11

SCHOOL BY POST

HOW IT WORKS

EXHIBITION OPENED

The Education Department's Correspondence School carries on a unique work in providing educational facilities for those who for any reason are unable to attend any State school. There are the children of lighthousekeepers—and lighthouses have a habit of being in 'isolated places on the coast, far from other human habitations; there are children in the backblocks, miles and miles from the nearest school perhaps, and very likely there is no passable road even if the distance was not too great; and there are the crippled children who cannot move from their homes. But not one of these children is deprived of a chance of having as good an education as others more fortunately placed. The ramifications of the Correspondence School extend into the remotest corners of the Dominion, and even further afield into the Island Dependencies, and a wonderfully thorough organisation sees to it that, to those children who are unable to go to school, school is brought to them—and school, it may be said, in a most attractive, form. • Every year, just about now, the Correspondence School arranges a display at its headquarters. Clifton Terrace, Wellington, designed to show to the public exactly how the work is carried on. A most interesting display or exhibition it is, too; and this year's effort is even better than its predecessors. The Hon. W. Nash officially opened it this morning in the presence of a large gathering, and it is safe to say that during the period the • exhibition is open, which is until the ; end of January, with the exception of ' the Christmas and New Year weeks, it ; will be visited by large numbers of people who will find much to en- ' lighten them. Examples of the children's work show the thoroughness of the education given by post, how handicaps are overcome, and what admirable reciprocity there is between - teacher, child, and parent. Any idea that school by post cannot be as efficacious as ordinary schooling will i quickly be dispelled by only a cursory ' glance round this exhibition. ' Mr. J. H. Robinson, president of the ■ Parents' Association, paid a tribute to ' the work of the mothers in helping along the Correspondence School activities, and he expressed gratification at | seeing so many present at the open- ' ing of the exhibition. ' In declaring the exhibition open, Mr. ; Nash remarked on the interest Minis- ; ters had taken in the work" of the . Correspondence School, which had grown from small beginnings 17 years ' ago. Over 1000 secondary pupils were ] now on the roll, and nearly 2000 prim- ; ary pupils. He looked on the work as } education in its fullness to a remark- ' able degree. The headmaster. Dr. A. G. Butchers, | paid tribute to the work of the staff, 1 which, he said, would next year be . raised to 120 full-time enthusiasts. The j' work of the school was ever extending ( and practical woodwork was now be- , ing taught to the boys, and he thought j it a pity that correspondence classes . were being started elsewhere when , | they themselves had the organisation for such technical classes already in , operation. I, The Leader of the Opposition Cthelj Hon. Adam Hamilton) was present at < the function. j i