EDUCATION IN TARANAKI

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 19 September 1934, Page 11

EDUCATION IN TARANAKI

TRANSFERENCE OF PUPILS MINISTER’S REPLY TO PROPOSAL “VERY USEFUL SAFETY VALVE” In acknowledging, the suggestion of the Taranaki Education Board concerning an amendment to the Education Act so as to prevent the abitrary transfer of pupils by their parents from one school to another, the Minister, the Hon. It. Masters, wrote to the board a,t yesterday’s meeting in New Plymouth, expressing the opinion that such an amendment did not seem advisable. In the first place the privilege at present existing acted as a very useful safety valve and probably prevented as much annoyance as it caused. Parents of a certain type could harass teachers in other ways than by merely transferring their children to other schools. In fact, teachers often wished that such transfers would be effected. In th© second place, if any such prohibition were enforced the question woiud arise whether all pupils should not attend their own district schools. It would be difficult, if not unreasonable, to refuse a transfer to one parent when Ms next door neighbour was y' not sending or perhaps never did send ■ his children to the local school. In the cities a large number of pupils were attending schools outside their own district, often only because their parents themselves attended such schools or because such schools possess peculiar . features, e.g., open air construction, teachers of a particular type. Teachers themselves as parents often sent their children to schools other than their own. So long, therefore, as parents comply with the compulsory attendance provisions of the Act he thought i-fc wise not to disturb the existing system. Members present were Messrs S. G. Smtih, M.P. (chairman), J. A- Valentine, J- Q. Barclay, W. H. Jones, J. (McAllister, T. J. Griffin and Di- W. M. Thomson.

APPOINTMENT OF TEACHERS. After consultation 'with the senior inspector the following appointments were made: Raekohua, head teacher, Mr H. Oldham. Midhirst, infant mistress, Miss Linette A. Carter. Mokoia, assistant, Miss Collins transferred from Te Roti. Niho Niho, assistant, Miss Mary M. R. Martindale. Ware a, assistant, Miss Ellen B. Fleming. Eltham, music, Miss Kathleen L. Butler. Waitara, music, Miss Alice J. Edwards. Notification was received from the Education Department that the sum of £3756 had been allocated for maintenance of school buildings for the , year ended March 31, 1935. The stun, it was stipulated, wa6 to be applied j solely to the erection and repair of schools and teachers’ residences, in- \ eluding work to outbuildings, fences and furniture. The manual instructor, Mr D. McKay, reported that good progress had been mad© in cooking in spite of irregular attendance due, to epidemics. Most classes had. covered sufficient ground, to enter on the next term’s work (the planning, costing, cooking and serving of balanced diets) with some degree of confidence and initiative. Centres had received a spring cleaning and the interiors of Hawera and Waitara cookery rooms had been painted. Woodwork instruction had proceeded according to time-table and satisfactory work was being done. Tool equipment was in good order. Reporting on agricultural work, Mr McKay stated that visits to schools had been continued without interruption. Despite broken attendance, satisfactory progress had been made with the term’s' work. In a few schools not strong in rural science, these conditions had been given as a reason for the: practical suspension of the science course for more or less long periods. Nature study had due place, spring studies offering .plenty of scope. The particularly wintry conditions in the past month or two had restricted the study. Gardens had been better left *unworked during th© wet conditions. They were now being prepared for the reception of crops, and schemes had been prepared, for the growing of crops under simple experimental conditions. Schemes for the improvement of the grounds were being worked in a number 'of schools. There were few schools where apathy to the unimproved conditions of the school environs existed and where attempts at improvement were not made. Good eni. tries were forthcoming in th© various < v Club competitions. ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION. Mr D. Le C. Morgan, provincial secretary of the Fanners’ Union, forwarded the following resolution passed by his executive: “That in view of the ignorance that exists in the matter, all school children be taught artificial respiration a a applicable to electrocution, and that power boards should supply all consumers with information as to procedure with broken wires, electrified fences, etc.” In reply to a question, Dr Thomson said the methpds of artificial respiration were the same as in apparent cases of drowning, and it was therefore decided to reply stating that methods of artificial respiration were already being taught in the schools. The resolution wil he forwarded to the Power Boards for comment. School committees will he circularised with reference to conditions under which applications for radio sets will be received. The secretary’s letter advising Dr. Saunders that an application for the establishment of a District High School at Eltham should be accompanied by a memorial signed by householders guaranteeing the attendance of their children was approved. MANAIA COMPLAINT. Mr O. Parry, chairman of the Manaia school committee, waited upon the board to express dissatisfaction with the system of making awards in the boys and girls’ agricultural clubs’ competitions, and after full discussion of the complaints, the hoard decided to appoint Dr. Thomson and Mr. Barclay th|e board’s {representatives to ■discuss the matter with thei clubs and "School committees’ representatives. '