HIGH SCHOOLS BOARD

Evening Star, Issue 18050, 18 August 1922, Page 2

HIGH SCHOOLS BOARD

ACCOMMODATION QUESTION. JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS. Tho monthly meeting of the Board' of Governors of the Otago Boys and' Girls High 'Schools was held in tile Education Office yesterday afternoon, Dr G. E. Thompson presiding. The question of tho order in. which pupils aro to bo admitted' next year in tlie event of their being insufficient accommodation came up for discussion. The secretary reported that there would be a larger number of pupils enrolling at tho boys’ school this year than last. Tho regulations provided that scholarship holders and senior free place- holders must ho admitted.—lt was decided to write to the Education Department asking that in the event of there'being insufficient accommodation tlie board bo granted power to refuse admittance to any boy whoso parents neglect to notify the principal by tho required date. A letter was received from Miss M. H. M. King (principal of the Girls’ High School) asking if tho board approved of tho carrying forward of preparations for an entertainment to bo given for the purpose of raising funds for prizes and other desirable tilings. The entertainment was to be hold in“ His Majesty’s Theatre on October 11.—'Tho board approved of tho project. The committee appointed to consider the proposed junior high school system reported as follows ;—Wo bog to report having been present, in company with other members of tho board, at the conference hold between Mr J. Caughlcy, M.A., Director of Education, and members of educational governing bodies of Dunedin. We agree That some changes are required in tho present educational system, and that tho primary school course should end at about the ago of twelve. Although impressed with Mr Caugbhjy’s statement, however, wo are not yet prepared to say that tho junior high school system is the best solution of tho problem. Wo_ think tho committee should! bo kept alive to note and report to the. board on tho progress of the movement. In submitting the report the Chairman said that if the scheme was introduced the status of the school would be reduced, and that would bo a. serious matter. The status of tho rector would also be reduced, and therefore his salary. They must think of the future principals. He doubted that two ye 0 s was lonjx enough for a boy to get the school spirit and tradition; three years was shest enough. It would destroy the influence tho big schools had. Pupils got an education in mixing with their own little world, which was training for a wider world later on. The report was adopted.