AN INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL

Hawera Star, Volume L, 24 October 1930, Page 7

AN INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL

TARANAKI BOARD DISCUSSION. SCHEME FAVOURED After a long and interesting discussion at the meeting Wednesday of the Taranaki Education Board in New Plymouth, a proposal that the Central School, destroyed three months ago, should be replaced by an intermediate school to accommodate all Standard V. and VI. pupils in the town, was carried bv a majority of live to one. The proposal was the outcome of a report recommending the scheme, by a committee set up to go into the matter. Beioie the carrying of the motion, an amendment to defer the matter till next meeting, moved by Mr A. Lees and another by Mr McAllister that the scheme be first submitted to the parents in the school district, were both lost on the casting vote of the chairman. In a preliminary discussion on the work of the department in the matter, Air Lees maintained that there had been avoidable delay as it was understood from the Director of Education that the building could lie gone on with as it would be suitable no matter which type of school was desired. _ _____

In reply to Mr Lees, the chairman said that *in round figures the cost of replacing the Central School would be about £12,000, whereas it would cost probable an additional £12,000 to provide the intermediate type of school. Mr Lees asked first if the school was absolutely necessary and said that while it was good to make classes smaller and have more concentration, it would be wise to know how much of the scheme could be carried out by giving more consideration to the primary schools. The department could not do better than make a start in Taranaki with the recommendations of the recess' comniittee in regard to smaller classes, and if this was done teachers could undertake part of the work proposed to be done in the Junior High School. He said he considered that secondary schools were receiving better treatment than the primary, getting five times as much capitation. He pointed out the desirability of the department in giving more funds to the primary schools, to reduce classes and also the'difficulty created through tlie transfers of teachers owing to rise and fall in grade; one that could be avoided if efficiency rather than grading counted in the schools. He maintained that instead of spending £12,000 ou a junior high school in New Plymouth, it should be devoted to the primary schools, because it was a fact that authorities were divided in opinion as to the value of such a school. In addition, said Mr Lees, he questioned tlie wisdom of spending so much money at present, especially as New Plymouth was very well equipped, while country districts were being penalised. He favoured giving extra facilities to country children.

In reference to the -site he pointed out that aj saving might- be effected, if the school was to be erected by building'it alongside the high school. Mr White agreed that, by giving the money to the primary schools, the advantage claimed for the new type of school could be secured. He subscribed to the report of the committee because the department had stated- such a -school was to be- built somewhere in the Dominion and, that being so, the board should not miss the opportunity if securing it for New Plymouth. The chairman -said that the position bail been forced on them by the fire at the Central School and by the -suggestion of the department. He stressed the advantage of having children of the same standard grouped together and such a school as proposed would be able to get better equipment. Dr Thomson remarked that it would prove just a;s expensive to attach the st bools to tlie high schools as to build 1 •on the present -site and lie added that lie would not like to have to take the responsibility of turning down the proposal. It certainly was a forward step. Mr McAllister said that lie was inclined to fall ! iii with All"-Lees’-idea, 1 but that it would be wrong not to take the •opportunity now offered. Mr Lees moved that consideration of the report be deferred till the next meeting, -saying such an important matt-dr should be discussed by a full board.

The chairman suit! that until the report was adopted the board had nothing to put before the people of New Plymouth lor discussion.

Mr Lees a-sked if the report was adopted by the board and then turned down by the New Plymouth people, what the position would be.

Air AlcAllister seconded the motion ■un the understanding that if it were carried the position would be placed before the public prior to next meeting of the board.

Messrs Lees, McAllister and W-hit-e voted for the motion and Dr Thomson, Air Jones- and tlie chairman against. On the easting vote of the chairman the motion was lost. Air McAllister moved as a further amendment to defer it until the scheme had been submitted to the parents of the school districts concerned.

The. chairman -said that the Director of Education bad practically promised to visit New Plymouth and place the scheme before the parents concerned. Hie amendment was also- lost on>the casting vote of the chairman and the motion was carried, only Air Lees voting against it.