Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. TUESDAY, JUNE 14th., 1927. TAYLORVILLE SCHOOL

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 June 1927, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. TUESDAY, JUNE 14th., 1927. TAYLORVILLE SCHOOL

The Minister of Education (Mr. R. A. Wright) is rightly insistent on the importance of primary schools in the national education system, and he declares that he will insist that adequate attention is given to the needs of such schools, in preference to what secondary classes may require. It is to be hoped that the Minister’s-at--1 ention will be early directed to the complaints by the Taylorville committee regarding the deplorable condition of the school building. So bad is the state of affairs said to be, that it is proposed to close the building this month unless redress is obtained. The committee declare that the school-building is unfit for the juveniles, and is a menace to their health. The climate of the West Coast is such that it is essential that schools be rain and windproof, but it is alleged, that at the Taylorville school, wind and rain sweep in freely, with ‘ wretched consequences to the children’s health and comfort. This is not the first occasion that the shortcomings at this country school have been given publicity, and official atten-, lion has been promised long ago. It will thus be seen that the Committee has a strong case, and although its action in closing the school, seems to be drastic, it may be that the decision is fully warranted. Whoever is at fault, it is certain that the children’s welfare is being sacrificed, and the sooner remedy is arranged, the better for all concerned. Messrs Bignell and Wild, as representatives of the

Coast, on the Education Board should fie urged to exert their influence to obtain speedy repairs to the Taylorville building, and their efforts should ,'be supplemented by all who believe in -country children having a fair deal. TECHNICAL CLASSES Whereas the Taylorville school committee has to complain that the school-building is inadequate for the scholars offering, the Greymouth Technical School Board has a grievance in the othei* direction. It provides a modern building, well-equipped classrooms and effi cient teachers for those scholars of older growth, who wish to equip themselves for their later struggle in the commercial world, but the generous invitation is insufficiently appreciated. Good attendance at some of the School’s evening classes has never been easy to secure, the social and other attractions in. town being too strong, apparently, to those lads and lassies whom the school is trying to help. Already, this year, the plumbing classes have had to be discontinued owing to lack o’f evening scholars, and the Director gives a timely warning that similar closing threatens chemistry,' woodwork, Latin, French, geography and dressmaking. The want of enthusiasm for instruction in foreign languages may be understood, but it is surprising to find coyness towards the other classes.

The matter is one for parents and guardians as well as for the pupils. Many-of these latter fail to realise the importance of education, and do not appreciate the value of adequate knowledge, in after-years. Their parents should exercise their influence to induce some of the Evenings during the week to be allotted to instruction. It is true that,the modern generation is not so subject to parental control as their predecessors, but if the commonsense 'aspect of the matter is placed 1 before them, they must realise that time spent at evening classes is a wise investment, which will amply repay them in later life. In the smaller centres, there are many who wish they had the facilities for education, Greymouth offers, and those in their teens who are being catered for by the Technical Schoo], should’ in their own interests, seize the opportunity to make their future more attractive and comfortable.