A SIZE LIMIT FOR SCHOOLS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIX, Issue 14704, 8 June 1908, Page 6

A SIZE LIMIT FOR SCHOOLS.

Thu question of setting a limit to the size of primary schools, which was freely discussed a few years ago, seems to have been entirely neglected of late. Christchurch, of course, lias a special interest in tho subject, because we have here tho threo largest schools iu tho dominion. According to tho last departmental report, the Sydenham, East Christchurch and West Christchurch Schools had to provide accommodation and teaching for 2910 children. The roll numbers for tho throo largest Wellington schools aggregate 2430, those of Auckland 2280, and those of Dunedin 1950. Wo are not inclined to boast of the superiority of Christchurch in this respect. Tho ideal school is one of moderate dimensions, and the authorities seeni to be agreed that the point of maximum efficiency is passed when the roll number exceeds 600. It is obvious that in a great city school, tho headmaster, who ought to be the most capable and most experienced teacher, must devote a great deal of his time to supervision and to administrative duties, leaving the actual teaching to his subordinates. Moreover, the burden of responsibility becomes excessive, and the tendency is invariably to allow the routine work to proceed without the close persoual supervision that is required. Then, too, the children are removed from tho direct influence of tho principal and consequently the “tone” of tho school suffers. Apart from this aspect of the question, there are manifest disadvantages in concentrating many children in one school. It stands to reason that the danger of moral and physical epidemics is unduly groat. The whole administration tends to become mechanical, and the institution loses its distinctive spirit. There is this important consideration from the teachers’ point of view, too, that the policy of concentration reduces tho number of “plums,” and consequently the attractiveness of tho profession for brilliant young men and women. Tho city schools will have to be limited in tho near future. The Sydenham school, which is almost the largest in the dominion, is unwieldy, and tho Department will shortly havo to face a strong demand for tho establishment of a second and smaller school in tho district. There are, we understand, 500 children in the infant division alone, with only two certificated teachers to instruct them. The district is altogether too large, and tho position is generally unsatisfactory. We believe that both the East Christchurch and West Christchurch schools, also, could ho reduced in size with advantage to tho children. Possibly the Sydenham movement for the establishment of a new school will provoke a discussion of tho general question.