ELTHAM.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 25 October 1924, Page 8

ELTHAM.

1 SCHOOL COMMITTEE, MONTHLY MEETING. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The school committee held its monthly meeting in the C.E.M.S. Club rooms last evening. Those present were: Messrs. I. Brijdger (chair), R. Peppered (secretary), A. Dobson, R. Gower, F. Michell, J. McKay and the headmaster (Mr. E. Bary). All apology was received from Mr. L. Rowe. The Education Board wrote stating that the department had agreed to the temporary use of the Oddfellows’ Hall until the new school is finished. The board also advised that the matter of supplying new clock was deferred until the completion of the new school. Mr. R. G. Ridling, agricultural instructor, wrote stating that the plans of the lay-out of the new school ground were in process of preparation and would be forwarded when completed. The headmaster reported that the average attendance for the September quarter was 373. The attendance for the present quarter was 368, the roll number was 111, the highest attendance for one day being 395. The first assistant, Mr. Bieheno, ami also Mr. Edwards had been absent for a few days on account of attacks of influenza. Three new bubble fountains had been erected at the school and were much appreciated. A new fire extinguisher had been obtained durinc the month and the cricket material sanctioned at the last meeting of the committee had been obtained. The meeting then went into committee to discuss matters in connection with the baths and arrangements with the recently formed swimming dub. The committee decided to retain control of the baths, and appointed Mr. A. Rae caretaker for the I:om ing season. It was decided to recommend the baths committee to carry out certain improvements, including a new dressing shed at a cost of approximately £2O. The opening day was left with the committee. INSPECTOR'S RETORT. NEW REGULATION DISCUSSED. The head master, in his report to the committee, istated “that the inspector’s 'eport on the school had been received. No doubt you have received a- copy, which will show that the school standard of work is very creditable.” “You can settle your minds, gentlemen. as no inspector’s report will be received bv the committee this year,’ •said the eh airman (Mr. Rriclger). The Education .Boards were not allowed by regulation to ‘send l the usual confidential reports to school committees, this has raised a. very serious matter, and one that the committee should strenuously object to. People are forced to send their children to school, and their representatives (the' school •i.'MniuitteU have a just and .perfect right to know' that the schools are conducted rightly, and that the standard or work is satisfactory. The position ■>' v w is that it is only by the courtesy of the teachers that the committee are allowed to peruse the inspectors’ report, and if a teacher likes to withhold it, he may do so and the committee remain in ignorance as to the state of the -school of which they are expected to exercise supervision. It. is most unfair to the committee and die parents of the children attending the schools. The Education Boards are objecting to the regulation, amthey have never objected to committees receiving the information contained in the inspectors’ report. I~U lid not know who were the instigators of this regulation, but it certainly looked as if .it was either'the Education Department or the Teachers’ Institute. for the School Committee;:’ Associations and Education Boards had never asked for such a proposal. He then moved that this committee enter its emphatic- protest against the recently established regulation prohibiting Education Boards from forwarding to school committees a copy, of the inspector’s report of the school and work during the year. Mr. A. Dobson, in seconding the motion, agreed with the chairman's •’emarks. He could not see why the reports 'were withheld. The committee were placed thorp hv the parents to see that their children were w n d VI non ted and the conditions were satisfactory, and how were they to know''if ill was well when thev were deprived of the knowledge contained in the annual report. It was a most unfai r regulation and ought to he repealed immediately. M’\ Gower c/dd that apnaren-t.lv the 'dioo! committees w r ere only needed to 'bon firewood ,ir'l do other menial work about the school. Messrs. Pepperell .and Michell also supported the resolution, end suggested that the matter shout! he sent all school committees throughout New' Zealand with a request that 3 uoited protect be lodged with 'the Minister of Education concerning tlm met ter. The suggestion wa.s added to the ••evolution, and it was carried.