JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 21 March 1929, Page 9

JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS.

SOUTHLAND OPPOSITION. DEPUTATION TO AIINISTER OF EDUCATION. IN VEKCAKD LLR, Alarch 2U. A deputation irom tne uorc anu iii--1 \ eicargiii ocituoi Voimmttoes Association waioeu upon cue Minister of jiiuueanoii, tne Jtiuu. H. A. Atmore, today with reiereiice to me proposed introduction 111 tooutliianU ol junior mgu schools. Air. A. W. Jones, retiring president of the South island Federation of odium Committees’ Associations, briefly explained the object of the deputation. There was a looting, lie said, taut the proposal involved the compulsory mass transference ol: so costly an experiment for the country to indulge 111. JLf standards 5 and 6 were removed from the primary schools a 1 ‘‘gi-oriiied kindergarten” would be left. Air. Jones stated, that the federation felt that if any extra- money was available for educational purposes it should be utilised in many avenues offered bv the primary schools. Air. D. Dickie, speaking on behalf of the district of Gore and Southland branch of the Farmers’ Union, said their opinion was summed up in the following resolution passed by the executive of the union: “That we strongly oppose the introduction of any educational system or methods that will have the effect of weakening our primary schools, or will result in any curtailment of their functions; that as the general introduction of junior high schools on the lines proposed will inevitably have this effect we must oppose the introduction of the system; further, that the difficulties arising in the transfer of pupils from primary to secondary schools should he overcome by an ’amendment of the syllabus of the secondary schools as well as that of the primary schools.” The Alinister in reply said that he was pleased to have met them as so many misconceptions existed as to the need” for alterations. Objections were raised to any alteration in the primary school system but a radical change was necessary as the interests of the great mass of children were concerned. He had been in touch with education for a long time iu all its forms. | The cost was cited as the principal ob- , jection to the introduction of junior: high schools. If it were desired in Southland that no change should be made the matter would be held over to a later date. It was obvious, however, that some change was necessary. 111 the North Island, said the Alinister, he was besieged with applications for junior high schools, so that it was difficult to understand the attitude of those who were against any change. New Zealand was at present behind the Old Country in matters of education ; for some time previously it had led. People were paying for post primary education to-day, and although the nation was gaining the country people were not getting the benefits they should get if a change were made. The matter of tlie cost in connection with the introduction of junior lngli schools had been gone into carefully and the last report he received stated that the entire cost of the new system would be found to be negligible. The Alinister stated that many who formerly were hitter opponents of the scheme were now among its heartiest supporters. The president of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union had said that Air. At move was the right man in the right position because he was endeavouring to introduce junior high schools. Air. Jones thanked Air. Atmore for his address, but stated that, personally, lie had not been convinced by it. AIR. POLSON EXPLAINS. FARMERS’ UNION ATTITUDE TO SCHEAIE. STRATFORD. March 21. “I am satisfied,” said Air. AY. J. Poison, ALP., Dominion president of the Farmers’ Union, in reference to the Press Association telegram from Invercargill, “that- the Alinister of Education lias been misreported in his discussion with the Farmers’ Union at Invercargill in quoting myself as having declared him to be the right man in the right place because he _ was endeavouring to introduce junior high schools.. Ido think Air. Atmore is the right man to handle this difficult portfolio of education, and that he will make a success of it. hut neither the Farmers’ Union nor myself has expressed an opinion in favour of junior high schools. Only four days ago ] wrote to Air. At more endorsing the nrotest of the North Canterbury Farmers’ Union against any extension of the existing system that will unsettle our brightest country hoys and give them a taste for town life, and asking for his assistance in preventing anv such interference.”