EDUCATION SYSTEM

Hokitika Guardian, 6 December 1929, Page 3

EDUCATION SYSTEM

PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE AT 04MARTI. , OAMA.R.IT, Dec. 4. The IDrlnmoutarv Select Committee which is investigating the eduction system of the Dominion arrived at o'imaru this morning from Dunedin, the members of the Committee being Messrs W. A. Bodkin, 0. C. Black. C. L. Carr. J. A. Young, G. E Evkos. IT. Holland, and A. J. Murdoch. They were accompanied by the Minister for Education (the Hon Mr AtmoreL and the Director of Education (Mr T. B. Strong). On ar-iv'd. they wore met by Air J. A. Macl’herson, M.P., and welcomed at a luncheon at the- Rotary Club by the Mayor (Air Frank Crawdiaw), .Mr Atm ore delivering an address to Rota.ria.ns on the. “Ideals of Education.’’ During the afternoon the AVaifaki Boys’ and Girls’ High Schools were visted. La-tor tin- Alinister received a deputation from the Oamaru South School seeking his support for the- erection of an open-air classroom . to replace the sunless infant room south of the school buildings, toward which the parents have subscribed £l5O, and which has received the approval of the Otago Education Board. The position of schools without capitation grants a« affecting grading and staffing was also put fully before the Alinister. who was earnestly asked to consider fixing the grading, and staffing on the roll, and not the average attendance. The Alinister was advised of the promise of the former Director of. Education (Mr Ca-ugh-leyj, and a,lso the definite assurance of Sir .Tas. Parr that such schools would not he detrimentally affected in staffing and grading, which promise had not been fulfilled. It "’as pointed out that the lowest average attendance in any department of a primary school was in the infant denartinent and a- school with a qnaitor of the roll of the infant department must suffer. The Minister promised that the representations concerning grading and staffing would be enquired into. He will visit Oamaru South School and also Oamaru North School to-morrow, to go into the question of open-air classrooms. In the evening evidence was ta-ken by the Select Committee, which, according to jParliamentary procedure was taken in committee. The party will inspect the Otekaieke special school to-morrow before travelling to Christchurch i» the afternoon.