SCHOOL COMMITTEES

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 14 February 1930, Page 5

SCHOOL COMMITTEES

SOUTH TARANAKI ASSOCIATION QUARTERLY MEETING.

There were present at the quarterly meeting of the South Taranaki 'School Committees’ Association, held last night in Elthdm, Messrs ,\V. Ricketts (chairman), A. Lees, L. Houlahan (Okaiawa), J. Cocker (Rawbitiroa), A. F. Gamlin, Edwards, Sole, Vincent (Manaia) and A. R. Kemp (Eltham) lion, secretary. An apology was received from Air S. H. Lo Fleming (Otakeho).

The secretary reported that there were 39 'Schools in the association, of which 23 were financial. He said the financial position was satisfactory, and that the year closed with a credit balance of £8 16s 9d. The chairman reported that he and Air Cocker had gone to New Plymouth to represent the committees before the Select Commission, but found when they got there that they could not he heard because all evidence had to be supplied in writing. This was done later ris required. Air Cocker said their difficulty was that they were not informed that their suggestions had to be in writing until a day and a half before thb commission held its sitting in New Plymouth. They arranged, however, for the suggestions they had to make to he and considered.

“Actually there were 11 foolscap pages occupied with them,” said the. chairman, “and they necessitated a lot of work.” He briefly outlined the subjects on which they dealt. It was resolved that the expenses of the delegates in visiting New Plymouth be paid.

SCHOOL CAPITATION. A letter was received from the Wellington School Committees’ Association in connection with the capitation question. The association approved the increase, but did not consider it right to subsidise special efforts, which should he raised by the parents. He added that the federation of cognate associations, such as school committees, parents, old scholars arid the teaching profession, would be behind any move in the direction of an effort to secure greater capitation.

Mr Lees said the whole question was largely in the hands of the parents, and if they would attend noteholders’ meetings and carry resolutions necessary a great deal could be done.

He instanceo. the difference in amounts paid to various classes of schools, showing that for a primary school of 560 pupils the amount would be £177 per annuin, while for a secondary school with the same roll number the amount would be £I4OO and for a technical school £ISOO. The averages per pupil worked out at 6s 4£d, as against about 50s, and allowing for the grant the former would not be more than 12s Bd.

Air Gamlin said that at their school committee meeting in Manaia the previous night it was agreed that more capitation was necessary, and they had deplored the lack of interest shown by parents. The chairman urged that they should go straight out for an increase in capitation per pupil, not on averlage attendance. He said that in Eh tham, because the average fell a-half ‘below 360, their capitation was based on 320, and now they were up to 400. j Air Edwards said that committees had no growl against the board. Mr Cocker agreed, adding that tbe board often stretched points to help committees. He considered that capitation should cover all costs of cleaning, heatirig, stationery: and repairs, and suggested circularising all school committees in reference to the question. *

Mr Lees said there was no doubt primary schools could do with lfiore capitation, especially when their figures were compared with those of the, high schools. There was still a big margin between them, and a little more consideration should he given to the primary schools. Mr Cocker instanced the amounts paid to the Stratford High School, with 300 pupils, totalling about £/000, a third of the total salaries. There was, lie added ; not half the difficulty in getting capitation for high or technical, schools as for primary schools, and it was actually “putting the cart before the horse,” for the primary were all-important and should be given ‘‘the best run possible.” Mr Lees said the question should be brought up at the next annual meeting and a circular sent out urging committees to go for increased capitation. Actually, said Mr Cocker, capitation should be based on the number of rooms used in the schools, because, even if the attendance fell, these rooms still had to be used and kept clean. Mr Edwards feared it might be more complicated if based on that method. The chairman referred to'the case of Kltham, stating that, when the attendance fell, only four out of five rooms were needed, but now all were fnJJ.. Mr Cocker urged the need of a change in the system, and on his motion the following resolution was carried, Mr Gamlin seconding and expressing cordial approval of the resolution: “That all committees be asked to discuss the matter at their annual meetings and to pass, a resolution in favour of increased capitation, urging an increase per piinil, not on average attendance.”

RENTAL CLINICS. Some discussion took place on the subject of dental clinics, Mr Lees asking if they were generally giving satisfaction. Mr Gamlin said that so far as they went this was so, but more schools were asking for treatment, and lie instanced requests from Otakeho and Oeo. Manaia, lie added, was covering the work at Auroa, Okaiawa and Kapuni. “Eltham will need another nurse soon,” said the chairman. Mr Lees said that many schools got no treatment and a clinic was required for Opunake. “Although.’’ said Mr Cocker, “I fear we cannot do much, we should bring the matter before the department.’’ He moved and Mr Gamlin seconded that.a request be made for an extension of the dental service in the South Taranaki area, because of the number of schools needing help and because the present staff was inadequate for the work required. TTe added that. it. was the duty of the association, to holn the schools in their area. The motion was carried unanimously.

THANKS, The delegates were kindly entertained at supper by Mesdames .1. Cocker and W. Ricketts and a motion of thanks for their hospitality was carried bv acclamation. A vote of thanks to the chair concluded the meeting.