COMPETITIVE PRIZE-GIVING.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 15 March 1926, Page 3

COMPETITIVE PRIZE-GIVING.

OPPOSED BY SCHOOL COMMITTEES. SOUTH TARANAKI ASSOCIATION. ■ That annual competitive prize-giv-ing in- schools was not desirable was 'agreed to by members at the quarterly meeting of the South Taranaki School Committees’ Association held at El tham on Friday evening. . A motion opposing the establishment of junior high schools was also carried. There were present: Messrs J. Dakers (chairman), W. R. O. Spooner (secretary), and O. T. Parry, Manaia; G. Quin, L. Bell and D. Wards, Mokoia; W. Ricketts, A. O. Hemingway, W. H. Young, Mesdames Ricketts and Burkitt, El tham; J. Cocker, Rawhitiroa; C. 11 Reeves and J. P. Marx, Mangatoki: and, E. Mortimer, Okaiawa. Messrs Bates and Bary, representing the South Taranaki branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute, waited upon the meeting in connection wit the question of the giving of competitive prizes to scholars annually. Tlie delegates stated that the Institute merely wanted to express its views on the subject to the Association. The Institute recommended the discontinuance of the system, and various reasons in support were quoted. The treating of all children alike in tl class, school and playground was <1 sired, instead of creating a. competitive element amongst the scholars. Prize money invested in literature, carefully chosen, and placed in the school library, would be of great value to all the children of the school. Fur ther, the pound for pound Government subsidy would double the volume of reading matter added to the library. The Institute affirmed the giving of books to every scholar annually, as is done in a number of small schools. The Institute opposed competitive prize-giving only, A motion approving of the recommendation of the South Taranaki branch of the N.Z. Educational Institute to discourage the giving of com petitive prizes to scholars, with a provision that same did not apply to the distribution of gift books to every pupil in the school, was passed.

It was decided to ask affiliated com mittees to solicit remits for the annual general meeting in May, at the householders’ meetings to be held next month, and to forward all remits to the' secretary not,later than 14 days after the householders ’ meeting. JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS. In introducing the question of a sug gestion to establish junior high schools in South Taranaki, a member said the scheme was to convey pupils of the 4th, sth and 6th standards from neighbouring schools to a central school. This would be detrimental to the smaller children, through reducing the grade of the school. Several members spoke adversely of the scheme, during which it was stated that children could be just as well educated under the existing system, that local interest in education would become lost', and that it would foster tlie drift to towns.

A motion opposing the establishment of junior high schools where country scholars would be required to journey to town, was carried. Accounts totalling £1 10s 6d were passed for payment. An 'appreciative supper, provided by members of the Eltham committee, was served. On behalf of the association, the president cordially thanked the Eltham members for their hospitality.