OUR KINDERGARTENS

Evening Star, Issue 17329, 17 April 1920, Page 8

OUR KINDERGARTENS

Mr T. K. Sidey, M.P., to-day Introduced a. deputation from the Dunedin. Free Kindergarten Association, including Mrs Giikison (president), Messrs Win. Davidson, Giikison, and Hon. G. M. Thomson (members of the executive). Mrs Giikison, after congratulating the Minister on his appointment, asked if it -was the intention of the Minister in the near future to make the kindergarten a part of the State school system, and if so, ■what would be the position of the association and the ladies employed as teachers. In the case of the kin'derfarten not being taken over, what would be the attitude of the Minister towards it? The present capitation allowance to the elation was £5 2s 6d for every £2 10s, and it was suggested that the £3 2s 6d should be increased to £5.

The Minister assured the deputation that tho movement, had his deepest gympathy, but he would require more time to look into the matter before he could answer their questions. The Department was keenly a live to the value of kindergarten wonc, and in training colleges had made a special point of having mistresses of infante trained in kindergarten, methods. Reccnt.y two ladies—Miss 'Newman, of Auckland, and Miss Perrin, of Invercargill—had been appointed to travel through Aew Zealand with a view of initiating kindergarten principles in all our schools!