EDUCATION SYSTEM

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 236, 18 September 1936, Page 5

EDUCATION SYSTEM

Board Favours School Consolidation

INQUIRIES TO BE MADE

The policy of consolidation of school* where practicable in order that country school children should receive greater educational facilities is favoured b J! the Hawke's Bay Education Board. At to-day’s meeting the board carried a resolution proposed by the chairman, Mr. G. A. Maddison, that members review the position in tbeir own ward* from the point of view of consolidation and recommend to the board at its next meeting schools where they think an investigation should be made. ‘‘As members are aware, it has been the policy of this board for some time to favour consolidation of small schools with larger schools where it can ba brought about economically, and with benefit to the children concerned,”said Mr. Maddison. ‘‘The Minister, too, i* very strongly in favour of consolidation, and it is of interest to note that at the recent conference of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union a resolution was passed favouring consolidation of schools. While a considerable amount of consolidation has been carried out in Hawke’s Bay, there is no doubt that more could be done in this direction, and I feel sure that I will have the support of board members in investigating any further suitable cases. “I propose to move that the ward members in each of the rural wards review the position in their district from the point of view of consolidation, and that they submit to the board in time for the October order paper a list of the schools in their district where they think an investigation should be made with a view to consolidation.

‘‘Consolidation is going to play an important part in the education system,’* added Mr. Maddison. ‘‘The Minister is determined that the country children shall receive the same opportunities of education as those in the towns, which can only be achieved by consolidation. Over 100 cases of consolidation have been carried out in New Zealand with great success, end in some instances it has led to the establishment of secondary schools, so providing children with a training that they were hitherto deprived of.” Mr. Maddison ’» resolution was supported by various members, who agreed that consolidation was a distinct advance in the educational training of many country children.