CONSOLIDATION OF SCHOOLS.

Matamata Record, Volume XIII, Issue 1141, 24 July 1930, Page 4

CONSOLIDATION OF SCHOOLS.

REPORT DISCUSSED. ' - v . , • * > '•’> **; k Committeeman’s Ideas. The. Rev. A. C. Hampton, chairman of the Matamata Primary School Committee, stated that, he considered the report of the Education Committee, which represented all parties, to be one of the best attempts made by any Government to deal with the question of education. The report was a wonderful one, and he was pleased to note that farmers in Southland had wired Mr. Atmore expressing their appreciation of his stand on the matter. Mr. Hampton stated that compulsory, post primary education to 15 years was a good move provided that it was made general. There was a tendency, he thought, to push the more brilliant scholars through more quickly, and some might finish at 13 years of age and then possibly loiter around. With such exceptions catered for the extension proposed was a very good move.

Speaking in regard to consolidation of schools, Mr. Hampton held that while, in general, he favoured this move, there were cases in which it might be carried to bn extreme. Further, he thought that even where consolidation was brought about it was a moot point as to whether kindergartens should not be provided in the country districts." There was a danger to small children in travelling for boys would be boys in any circumstances, and if this question of the safety of the younger children could be satisfactorily solved it would assist greatly. He found that most of the opposition was from mothers, who while not actually opposing consolidation, viewed the matter with some anxiety on account of the danger he had referred to. On the other hand he had known, of families who had been bitterly opposed to consolidation who were now sending their children to Matamata. Referring to the suggested prominence to be given to agriculture, he thought this was too self-evident for argument. He had found that numbers had come from the towns to take up farms, and this move would be further encouraged. If they did not endeavour to first fill up the countryside the towns would not get very far. Touching on the unification of control, the speaker said he favoured this provided it was not the thin end of the wedge to abolish education boards. Education boards were far more in touch with local life and conditions that Wellington could ever be, and while great good could come from the unification of primary, secondary and technical education control, it was highly necessary to see that local powers were not usurped by a central authority in Wellington. On the whole, he felt it was a wcnderful report and one which should be discussed by the local High School Committee with a view to according the Minister full support.